The NFL trade deadline is next Tuesday, Nov 2 nd , at 4:00. Between now
and then there will be many a trade rumor and many of those rumors
will involve some of your favorite Dolphins players.
Of course, the biggest elephant in the room is will the Dolphins pull the
trigger on the trade for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.
The two teams have supposedly agreed on the compensation for
Watson, but due to all of his unresolved legal issues, Miami wants some
clarity on those issues before finalizing any trade.
That desired clarity will in no way come before the trade deadline, so
the Dolphins will hopefully put the breaks on this trade as there is just
way too much associated risk. Can you imagine giving up 3-5 players
and/or draft picks for a player who may not be eligible to play this
season or in 2022 or ever?
Watson will get traded to some team, but likely not until sometime
during the 2022 offseason.
But that doesn’t mean some Dolphins won’t be traded. As strange as it
may seem, the 1-6 Dolphins actually have several players who should
intrigue playoff contending teams.
After Watson, the name you will hear most often in trade rumors will
be that of cornerback Xavien Howard. Howard has made it clear he
doesn’t want to be traded and as Miami’s clearly best player, the Fins
should be cautious about trading him. But given his age, high salary and
his penchant for injuries, Miami would be foolish not to listen to what
other teams may be offering. He would definitely bring more in return
than any other player Miami would consider trading.
Fellow CB Byron Jones could also be on the trade block, but he
wouldn’t bring in return what Howard would and I can’t envision Miami
trading both of them.
Several contending teams (Green Bay, Baltimore, Cleveland,
Indianapolis, Kansas City) could use wide receiver help, so expect Miami
to receive some calls for DeVante Parker and Will Fuller. Both are
exceptionally talented veteran receivers, but given their salaries and
inability to stay healthy, I can’t envision either being a Dolphin in 2022.
If they don’t get traded, there is an excellent likelihood Parker could get
released in the offseason while Fuller is a free agent to be.
Defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah is another player who will garner
some trade interest. He’s still a quality player, but is a free agent after
the season. Miami may want to re-sign him, but it’s unknown if the
feeling is mutual or if the Dolphins would be willing to pay what the
free agent market may dictate.
QB Tua Tagovailoa’s name may also be bandied about, but he isn’t
going anywhere unless Miami trades for Watson.
Which, if any, of these trades will come to fruition is anybody’s guess.
But Dolfans shouldn’t have lofty expectations of what they will receive
in return for these players. Other than Howard, who could command a
1 st round pick in return if teams get into a bidding war for him, the
other players will likely only net mid round draft picks in return.
General Manager Chris Grier’s phone will get a workout over the next
several days. And he should listen to all offers for players he doesn’t
envision as being part of the Dolphins roster in 2022.
