De'Von Achane vs Kenneth Walker: Who Should You Start?
De'Von Achane and Kenneth Walker are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Miami Dolphins running back averaged 18.1 PPG in 2025, a full 7.7 points per game ahead of Kenneth Walker's 10.4 with the Kansas City Chiefs. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.
De'Von Achane carries a 7.7-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.
De'Von Achane is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 67 targets into 488 yards, while Kenneth Walker profiles as a more traditional rusher with 1027 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats De'Von Achane carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.
One thing to note: both players share a Week 6 bye. That means you need a backup plan at running back for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.
