NFL Trade Deadline Approaching, Should Dolphins Make A Move?

Next week the NFL will go into season lock down when the trade deadline passes.  At that point, guys like Carson Palmer in Cincinnati and Peyton Hillis in Cleveland will not be going anywhere.  For the Miami Dolphins, it’s not a matter of trading for players that will help this team to win now.  That time past last week when the Dolphins fell to 0-4.  No, there is no one out there that could resurrect this team’s seasons.  If the Dolphins are going to turn it around, they need to do it from within.

Now with that being said, the Dolphins could look to parlay some of their own players into 2012 draft picks.  Who knows they may need them if they fail to land in the number 1 slot for Andrew Luck.  Now I’m not saying they should gut the team by any means but in reality, there are a few players that could provide them with some extra picks scattered throughout the draft or maybe a young prospect in return.

Here a few names the Dolphins should consider moving if the price was right.

The lists below are simply nothing more than names who would bring in reasonable compensation and I’m not saying that the Dolphins should or should not trade them.

The defensive line is deep with talent.  Randy Starks, Kendall Langford, Philliip Merling to name three.  Several teams in the NFL are currently depleted along the front line and the Dolphins would be smart to start offering up some of their bodies.  While Miami won’t get 2nd or even 3rd round picks for any of them, they could land an extra pick somewhere in the 4th or 5th round.  Miami needs to start thinking long term solutions instead of waiting for players to become stars.  A players value is only as good as it was the year before.

Cameron Wake is a monster, or at least he played like one last year.  The entire defense is struggling this year but Wake has been nothing more than a mild tremor this year.  Wake holds perhaps the highest value of any player on the roster and he is due for a contract negotiation soon as well.  Wake is a Miami fan favorite but the betterment of the team may lie in Wake being traded.  A second round pick would be a good compensation number.  Wake still has value despite his struggles this year.  If Miami opts to not trade him, they will risk his value never becoming this high again.

Nolan Carroll is an NFL starting CB and with the return of Vontae’ Davis the Dolphins no longer need his excellent service.  Jeff Ireland will likely not have to work the phones to get a deal done.  A local convenience store with a help wanted sign would likely trade for him.  Compensation?  A blue slushy and maybe a bag of pork rinds.

Jake Long is due a new contract and it won’t be small.  The bench mark will be the deal signed this off-season by Joe Thomas of Cleveland.  Expect upwards of 70 million easily.  While Long is a great LT and a perennial Pro-Bowler he is also a high reward player on the trade market.  He could immediately help any other team out there who is contending.  Miami could easily get a first round pick and more for him in a trade.  This of course will not happen as the Dolphins simply do not have any one on the roster who could fill his position let alone his shoes.

Who in your opinion would be a candidate for trade?