Branden Albert, Miami Dolphins ‘almost done’ with deal
Branden Albert (76) during the 2013 AFC wild card playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs have always been expected to lose starting left tackle Branden Albert to free agency this season due to his price tag, and he’s likely one of the top ten free agents on the open market. Albert is 29, and he will command a massive contract due to his terrific pass blocking at LT. He isn’t as good as Jared Veldheer or Eugene Monroe in my book, but he’s pretty darn close.
The Miami Dolphins have the biggest need for offensive linemen of any team in this league, and they have already shown interest in Albert, Veldheer, and St. Louis Rams impending free agent G/T Rodger Saffold. Albert is clearly at the top of the list, and it sounds like he could be a Dolphin soon after free agency opens up tomorrow.
Per Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins and Albert are “almost done” with a deal, and Salguero adds that “He’ll be a Dolphin.”
This is huge news for the Dolphins, and they aren’t going to be done yet. Even though they will almost certainly end up with Albert, they are also going to pursue at least one other starting offensive lineman. Their blocking up front was embarrassing last season, and their only locked in player is center Mike Pouncey. Lamar Miller would love to have a breakout year, and he’ll get it with better blocking. Ryan Tannehill made big steps in his second year, but I have a feeling poor blocking up front held him back a bit.