MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane earned his first Pro Bowl nod, the NFL announced Tuesday morning, but linebacker Jordyn Brooks and other deserving candidates were left off the initial selection.
Achane has been the spark for the Dolphins offense in 2025, leading the league in rushing average (5.8 yards per carry) and ranking third in rushing yards (1,267) with two games remaining.
“De’Von has found a way to improve his close-quarter yards and has new level of confidence with his vision,” coach Mike McDaniel said Monday, adding he was deserving of the honor. “When we’re able to get him to one defender, where he just has to make one defender miss, he’s consistently doing that at an explosive rate.”
The speedy Achane, who was named to his first Pro Bowl in his third season, has already notched the Dolphins’ fourth-highest single-season rushing total in 2025. He is 5 yards away from Jay Ajayi’s 1,272 yards in 2016 for No. 3, and Ricky Williams’ No. 2 mark of 1,372 yards in 2003 is also within reach. Williams’ franchise record is 1,853, established in 2002.
Achane is the Dolphins’ ninth running back selected to a Pro Bowl in team history, joining Raheem Mostert (2023), Ajayi (2016), Ronnie Brown (2008), Williams (2002), Andra Franklin (1982), Delvin Williams (1978), Mercury Morris (1971-73) and Larry Csonka (1970-74).
Achane has been instrumental to team success, as Miami (6-9) is 5-0 this season when he has more than 20 touches. He will go into 2026 on the final year of his rookie contract and could have an extension on his way, but that’ll be up to whoever will be making decisions from the team’s vacant general manager role.
While Achane was selected, other deserving Dolphins players were left off the initial AFC Pro Bowl selection.
For starters, linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who leads the NFL in tackles (169) was not chosen, despite leading the fan vote released Monday. The Baltimore Ravens’ Roquan Smith and Houston Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair, an FAU alum, were the two AFC linebackers named.
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“You’re going to struggle to be around an NFL season where you see a guy physically impose his will like Jordyn does,” McDaniel said Monday of Brooks. “He not only is playing very physical and violent, but he’s covering a lot of ground while leading a team and unearthing a new level of leadership. I think he’s taken a gigantic leap in his career.”
Last week, in making Brooks’ case for the Pro Bowl, Miami defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver went as far as declaring Brooks worthy of the more-prestigious All-Pro honors.
“I mean, he’s the best linebacker in the league. What are we talking about?” Weaver said adamantly. “He leads the league in tackles, he’s the heartbeat of this football team, and everything you want and expect out of an inside linebacker, he is. He is more than deserving of that nod. I think he deserves All-Pro nods personally, which I think actually means a little bit more.”
Others left off for the Dolphins who deserved consideration included center Aaron Brewer and punter Jake Bailey.
Brewer, known for his athleticism at his position, has played a vital role in opening up holes for Achane in the run game, which lifted the team during a run of four consecutive wins and five wins in six games from late October to early December.
“Aaron Brewer, I think, is playing a different type of center than anyone around the league,” McDaniel said. “We’re able to do a lot of things with him in both the run game and protection that we haven’t been able to do before just because of his range.”
The AFC Pro Bowl centers announced Tuesday were the Kansas City Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey and Baltimore’s Tyler Linderbaum.
Bailey was among NFL leaders in net punting before the Dolphins had a punt returned for a touchdown against them Dec. 7 against the New York Jets. The Ravens’ Jordan Stout got the AFC punter nod.
Miami safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who has had a strong season as a versatile defender filling in at nickel cornerback in certain packages, was also left off the AFC Pro Bowl roster. Jalen Ramsey, whom the Dolphins traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a deal that brought Fitzpatrick back to the team, was selected in his first season as a free safety.
Four Dolphins were named alternates for the AFC at their positions, but Brewer and Bailey were not among them: Brooks (first alternate), Fitzpatrick (third), wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (third) and fullback Alec Ingold (first). If a player on the Pro Bowl roster can’t make it due to injury or participation in the Super Bowl, these Dolphins may be elevated onto the Pro Bowl roster.
Last season, Miami had no players on the initial selection before former tight end Jonnu Smith was added to the AFC roster later.
This story will be updated.