Miami Dolphins get a true game-changer in Tyreek Hill trade
Miami Dolphins fans are rejoicing after Chris Grier traded for Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
For a while, the Miami Dolphins franchise struggled to find an identity. After the 2022 NFL off-season, it appears they’ve discovered what they want to be. Dolphins General Manager Chris Grier pulled off a move no one saw coming.
Today, the Miami Dolphins and Kansas Chiefs agreed to a trade that will send six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Fins. The Fins traded a haul. They gave away five picks, which is nearly the entire 2022 draft.
They aren’t picking until 109th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. Given Chris Grier’s draft history, not picking until 109th isn’t bad — if you ask Dolphin fans.
In addition to the picks, Hill gets a contract extension that puts him atop the highest-paid WRs in the NFL. It’s rumored that Grier signed Hill to a four-year, $120 million extension as part of the trade with $72.5 million in guarantees. To put it in perspective, the former Super Bowl champ is now under contract through the 2025 season at $23.8M per year overall.
The significance of this trade follows the mold of teams like the Los Angeles Rams approach. Rams General Manager Les Snead used the draft to build until he changed his approach.
After hiring Sean McVay, he changed his approach. It appears Grier is doing the same. He hired a Sean McVay-type in Mike McDaniel, a young, innovative head coach with a bright future. Instead of burning it all down, Grier used free agency and this blockbuster trade to build around Tua Tagovailoa.
Building around Tua was evident after Grier shut the door on Deshaun Watson. And Grier is doing all he can to make sure his quarterback is successful. They signed Cedric Wilson (Cowboys) to play next to Jaylen Waddle, adding more spread to their offense. The trade for Hill brings them another player who can separate. In fact, he’s arguably the fastest player in the NFL.
The Fins offense is full of speed for a quarterback who excels at running the quick game offense. Tua does an excellent job getting the ball out of his hands quickly. Now he has the weapons that can make plays after the catch. The move frees up Waddle, who was likely going to see double teams all season — that’s no longer the case.
McDaniel runs a zone-heavy play-action offense that ideally fits Tua’s skill set. A dynamic player like Hill opens up the playbook, giving McDaniel a player he can line up all over the field.
After the signing of Terron Armstead, Cedric Wilson, and the trade for Hill, the pressure is on for Tua. If he doesn’t perform at a high level, the Fins have two first-round picks in 2023 — they can trade up and replace him.