Report: Dolphins Attempting to Trade For OT Brandon Albert
Aug 10, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tackle Brandon Albert (76) on the sidelines against the Arizona Cardinals in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won the game 27-17. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Leading up to the Draft, the Miami Dolphins have been very active in the free agent market. They have already signed several new starters to the team, including WR Mike Wallace, ILB Dannell Ellerbe, and TE Dustin Keller. Because they had failed to retain standout LT Jake Long, they have been searching for a new starter to protect Ryan Tannehill’s blindside. Well, the search may be coming to a swift end, as the Sun-Sentinel is reporting they are discussing a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs for their star LT Brandon Albert. From that very source:
"According to league sources, the Dolphins have had extensive talks with Kansas City about acquiring Branden Albert for a second-round pick, and team sources acknowledge a trade could be finalized before next Thursday’s NFL draft."
The Miami Dolphins have both a pair of 2nd round picks, as well as a pair of 3rd round picks thanks in part to trades conducted between the Dolphins, Colts, and Bears. On separate trades, they gained a 2nd round pick from the Indianapolis Colts for CB Vontae Davis, and a 3rd rounder from the Chicago Bears for WR Brandon Marshall. GM Jeff Ireland is showing he’s not afraid to use one of his top picks in the draft, if it means he can get a great deal for a player that fills an immediate need.
Brandon Albert, meanwhile, was tagged by the Chiefs earlier in the off-season. Despite his injury concerns, he is a very capable pass protector that has proven himself in shutting down some of the better pass-rushers available in today’s game. The Dolphins have been hopeful to at least add competition for Johnathan Martin at the LT position thanks to Jake Long’s departure to St. Louis on a 4-year deal. He, provided the deal works out, will certainly add competition if not an upgrade to that position.