Update:
Mike Garafolo of NFL Media confirms that the Jaguars and Dolphins have discussed a trade involving LT Branden Albert. Garafolo’s source added that Jacksonville is considered to be the “primary destination” for Albert.
According to Garafolo, there’s optimism that the two parties will be able to get an agreement in place regarding an Albert trade.
NFL teams can’t process trades until March 9, but this obviously doesn’t preclude them from discussing deals and getting agreements in place ahead of time.
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Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins are “hopeful but not necessarily optimistic” they will be able to trade LT Branden Albert in the coming weeks.
According to Salguero, the potential trade involves “a lot of moving parts” and making sure it balances out for all parties involved.
Interestingly enough, Salguero says that the Jaguars are among the interested teams in trading for Albert.
Jacksonville recently declined to pick up their option on LT Kelvin Beachum, so they’re clearly in the market for help at the position.
Salguero mentions that the Dolphins would prefer draft compensation in return for Albert, but they could entertain the idea of trading him for another player such as TE Julius Thomas.
One issue to watch, according to Salguero, is whether Albert would even be willing to play for the Jaguars. A possible solution that could get a deal done would be for the Jaguars to include some guaranteed money in his contract.
If a trade is unable to be completed, the Dolphins are still expected to release him in the coming weeks.
Albert, 32, is a former first-round pick of the Chiefs back in 2008. He spent six years in Kansas City before signing a five-year, $46 million contract with $25 million guaranteed with the Dolphins back in 2014. He was set to make a base salary of $8.875 million for the 2017 season.
According to OverTheCap.com, trading Albert will free up $7.2million of available cap space while creating $3.4 million in dead money.
In 2016, Albert appeared in 12 games and was rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 65 offensive tackle out of 78 qualifying players.
We’ll have more regarding a potential trade involving Albert as the news is available.
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