Jaguars Trading TE Julius Thomas To Dolphins For Late-Rd Pick

Update:

The Jaguars officially traded TE Julius Thomas to the Dolphins for a 2017 seventh-round pick.

Welcome to Miami, @Julius_Thomas! pic.twitter.com/0jEk7h6pYd

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) March 9, 2017

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Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that that the Jaguars are, in fact, trading veteran TE Julius Thomas to the Dolphins.

• According to Rapoport, the Jaguars are expected to receive a 2017 seventh-round pick in return for Thomas.
• Rapoport adds Thomas will be in Miami on Tuesday for a visit and to pass a physical for the team.
• Armando Salguero reported that Thomas has agreed “significantly” reduce the remaining money included in his contract, but he’ll have the ability to recoup this money through incentives based on his performance.

Recent reports mentioned that the Jaguars and Dolphins were discussing a few different trade options including Thomas and LT Branden Albert. However, Thomas’ contract situation was reportedly holding up a potential deal with the Dolphins.

It looks like the Dolphins and Jaguars are treating these as two separate trades, so I’m sure we’ll hear more about Albert heading to Jacksonville in the near future.

Thomas lands in a good spot, considering that he produced his best seasons in Denver working with Adam Gase. The Dolphins also have a need at tight end, so it will be interesting to see what he’s able to do in Miami next year.

It’s worth mentioning that this trade can’t officially be processed until March 9, which is the start of the 2017 league year.

Thomas, 28, is a former fourth-round pick by the Broncos in the 2011 NFL Draft. He is entering the third year of his five-year, $46 million contract that included $24 million guaranteed.

According to OverTheCap.com, trading Thomas will free up $4.7 million of available cap space while creating $3.6 million in dead money.

In 2016, Thomas appeared in nine games for the Jaguars and recorded 30 receptions for 281 yards receiving and four touchdowns. ProFootballFocus has him rated as the No. 28 overall tight end out of 63 qualifying players.