Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan on Wednesday expressed cautious optimism about ongoing contract extension negotiations with Pro Bowl running back De’Von Achane.
“We’ve had positive conversations, trending in the right direction” the past couple of days, Sullivan said, adding that he is “not available for a trade.”
Achane, who has one year left on his rookie contract, told The Miami Herald in November that a contract extension is important to him. He has stayed away from the team during the early stages of the voluntary offseason program.
There have been conversations on contract extensions for center Aaron Brewer and linebacker Jordyn Brooks, but nothing appears imminent for either player.
“They know how important they are to this team,” Sullivan said. “There’s nothing pressing to get something done in the next couple of days.”
The Dolphins could have $22 million in cap space on June 2, after Bradley Chubb’s release is processed.
But Sullivan said there will be no big summer free agent spending splurge on free agents who fall through the cracks. (He didn’t rule out signing players to low money deals to fill needs that remain after the draft.)
“I think we’ll stay disciplined and sit tight with that,” he said. “We need the money to sign our draft class. We need to be disciplined and get back to a healthy spot” with the salary cap.
Sullivan reiterated that it’s “more likely” that the Dolphins will “move back than move up” in the draft. “I think we need all 11 picks.”
Asked if position versatility is important when he drafts offensive linemen, he said yes.
Sullivan addressed other issues:
▪ ESPN analyst Troy Aikman, who has worked as a consultant on the Dolphins’ coach and GM search, may be in the draft room but won’t be consulted on picks.
“I can’t say enough good things about Troy and Dan [Marino],” Sullivan said.
“Dan has been a tremendous sounding board for us. He’s been especially helpful for me with quarterbacks and receivers. Troy has been a wonderful sounding board from afar. Troy will be part of the equation going forward; what that looks like, we’ll see. He’s certainly welcome in the draft room.”
▪ Ideally, coaches will be on board with a pick. “I’m never going to go out of my way to shove a player down the throat of a coach,” he said. “But I’m going to do what is best for the Dolphins organization.”
▪ Sullivan also shed light on why the Dolphins bring in players for 30 visits: “Everyone comes through for a different reason. It’s another touchpoint to see how they carry themselves, how they learn, how they recall, the media portion of it. You have conversations. It’s instinctual to some degree. ‘I like this guy. I don’t know about this one.’ There are so many pieces when they come through the door; it’s a great opportunity to do Is and cross Ts.”
▪ Does he look at any positions where the Dolphins don’t have a recent starter (such as safety) and say to himself, ‘We absolutely must use one of our top 94 picks on that?’
Sullivan said: “Where you have holes is obvious. [But] we are always going to [have a] best player available approach. I’ve lived that. You feel you have an embarrassment of riches in a room and then you’re a hamstring or ankle [injury away from having a big need]. I’ve lived that. I look at holes and say I’ve got to fill those, but it’s also a stark reminder: Take good football players and it will work itself out.”
▪ Regarding Miami’s roster, Sullivan said: “We do not have a ton of established players on this team. We have some guys who will surprise some people. We have very few established players on the roster. We’ve got a lot of veteran guys who believe they’re better than the deal they signed. They’ve got something to prove; they’re chasing the carrot. And I’m good with that.”
This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 1:29 PM.
Barry Jackson
Miami Herald
Barry Jackson has written for the Miami Herald since 1986 and has written the Florida Sports Buzz column since 2002.
