The Miami Dolphins started to accumulate picks for the 2020 NFL Draft during the 2019 NFL Draft, and they really put that operation into high gear during the 2019 season. At the end of training camp, they traded left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Texans for two first-round picks and then during the season they traded safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Steelers for a first-round pick. Those deals have Miami loaded up with lots of draft picks on the opening night of the draft over the next two years, but they came at a price of opening up more needs on the their roster. From speaking to sources with Miami, the team regrets the Fitzpatrick trade but does not regret the Tunsil trade.
The Fitzpatrick trade happened when the Steelers were placing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on injured reserve, ending his season, so Miami thought the Steelers' first-round pick could end up being a top-10 selection. Fitzpatrick helped lead Pittsburgh to a number of wins, and the team almost made the playoffs, so that pick is 18th overall. Sources with the Dolphins say things got off on the wrong foott shortly after Fitzpatrick was drafted and things never got in sync for Fitzpatrick with the Miami organization. The Dolphins knew he was a good player, and in the weeks after the trade, sources say Miami regretted making the trade.
The trade with Houston, however, was a different story, according to those Dolphins sources. Miami felt Tunsil isn't perfect, so the trade was a steal for a rebuilding team like Miami. The Dolphins planned on trying to sign Tunsil to a contract extension bceause he always had talent, but they felt he was not the most consistent player and not worth the richest offensive tackle contract in the NFL. Becoming the highest-paid tackle is what Tunsil was aiming for and what the Texans are willing to pay. The inconsistency was seen in Houston, as Tunsil blocked well overall, but was also a penalty machine for the Texans. Some with the Dolphins felt two first-round picks is really a price you only pay for a quarterback, so that was excellent return for one player who is one part of a five-man unit. Miami feels very good about the Tunsil trade and what it got from the Texans.
The Dolphins know this is the most important draft in franchise history and feel a lot of pressure to hit on their picks, especially the one from Pittsburgh since they regret about that trade. If Miami id able to draft well this year and next year, these trades could end up being a key part of building a talented corps that lead the team into being a playoff contender for an extended period of time. It is up to general manager Chris Grier and head coach Brian Flores to make that happen and not regret these trades in the years to come.
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The Fitzpatrick trade happened when the Steelers were placing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on injured reserve, ending his season, so Miami thought the Steelers' first-round pick could end up being a top-10 selection. Fitzpatrick helped lead Pittsburgh to a number of wins, and the team almost made the playoffs, so that pick is 18th overall. Sources with the Dolphins say things got off on the wrong foott shortly after Fitzpatrick was drafted and things never got in sync for Fitzpatrick with the Miami organization. The Dolphins knew he was a good player, and in the weeks after the trade, sources say Miami regretted making the trade.
The trade with Houston, however, was a different story, according to those Dolphins sources. Miami felt Tunsil isn't perfect, so the trade was a steal for a rebuilding team like Miami. The Dolphins planned on trying to sign Tunsil to a contract extension bceause he always had talent, but they felt he was not the most consistent player and not worth the richest offensive tackle contract in the NFL. Becoming the highest-paid tackle is what Tunsil was aiming for and what the Texans are willing to pay. The inconsistency was seen in Houston, as Tunsil blocked well overall, but was also a penalty machine for the Texans. Some with the Dolphins felt two first-round picks is really a price you only pay for a quarterback, so that was excellent return for one player who is one part of a five-man unit. Miami feels very good about the Tunsil trade and what it got from the Texans.
The Dolphins know this is the most important draft in franchise history and feel a lot of pressure to hit on their picks, especially the one from Pittsburgh since they regret about that trade. If Miami id able to draft well this year and next year, these trades could end up being a key part of building a talented corps that lead the team into being a playoff contender for an extended period of time. It is up to general manager Chris Grier and head coach Brian Flores to make that happen and not regret these trades in the years to come.
WalterFootball.com: NFL Hot Press
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