Dolphins Interested In Acquiring Branden Albert?
By Brian Miller
October 14, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tackle Branden Albert (76) points as he gets ready to block against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Earlier tonight, Ian Rappaport of NFL.com sent the “Twitter” universe abuzz when he said that he has heard the Miami Dolphins are indeed interested in acquiring Kansas Chiefs LT Branden Albert. The question he posed was KC willing to accept the Dolphins second 2nd round pick. Number 54.
You can read more on this on Fansided.com and an earlier article written on ArrowheadAddict on this subject here.
A trade for Albert would put to rest any talk of a Dolphins trade up in next weeks draft to take Luke Joeckel, Eric Fisher, or Lane Johnson. It would also short them a 2nd round pick. That wouldn’t be bad for a starting veteran left tackle but Albert isn’t exactly a stellar left tackle.
For starters, he is franchised. Meaning the Dolphins would have to pay him 8-9 million dollars for one season and would have to ink him to a long term deal. One that reportedly will come in around the same amount on a yearly base. That’s an expensive price tag for a guy who hasn’t made the Pro-Bowl and likely won’t.
In addition, consider that he has been a Chief since coming into the league. Hasn’t made the Pro-Bowl, was franchised, refused to move to the right side of the line, all so that K.C. could draft his replacement, presumably, with the first overall pick in next weeks draft. Does that sound like a great left tackle to you?
For the record, I’m not against making a trade for the guy despite the fact that he will be costly, Dawn Aponte the Dolphins cap executive can work wonders with a players salary, nor am I worried that he will fail as our left tackle. I don’t see the value in trading a 2nd round pick for the guy.
The Chiefs may believe him to be worth a 2nd rounder but let’s face a clear fact here. They don’t have anyone knocking their doors down to get this guy. Lack of interest pits no one against each other and the price tag falls. Complicating matters more is the fact that after next Thursday evening, if he is still on the roster, the Chiefs will have to either trade out of the top spot and address another position, address another position with the number 1 slot, or draft either Luke Joeckel or Eric Fisher. They either keep Albert at LT or watch his value in a trade dissolve.
The Dolphins need a left tackle but they have more options than what the Chiefs do. They can trade up for a LT in the draft, something that will cost them a pick or two extra but will save them a considerable amount of cash in the next four to five years, or they can move Jonathan Martin to LT and add a RT.
The Dolphins hold the cards right now and if I were Jeff Ireland, I would be holding the card that has a late third rounder on it. I hold the card that may have a 4th rounder and a players name on it. What I’m not holding is a card that has a 2nd round draft pick on it. If the Chiefs don’t want to deal, then don’t deal. Let them find another suitor who will eat 8 to 9 million a season and give up a draft pick.
And for some reason right about now, I’m wondering if the number 54 pick will be sent to K.C.