10 worst trades in Dolphins history

Aug 16, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins middle linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (59) calls a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Number 5

Dannell Ellerbe traded to New Orleans

The Dolphins thought very highly of Dannell Ellerbe when they surprisingly signed him as a free agent in 2013. Ellerbe had played very well in Baltimore in place of an injured Ray Lewis. Miami expected him to continue that play in South Florida. Ellerbe had his moments but for the most part he was a square peg surrounded by round holes. Ellerbe didn’t fit the system all that well and his play inevitably suffered.

Ellerbe also dealt with injuries and his 2014 season was spent on IR. As the team headed into the 2015 season, Ellerbe was no longer in their plans and some would say he never should have been. Ellerbe was a free agent choice of then GM Jeff Ireland and Ireland didn’t seem to concerned that Miami ran a defense that didn’t fit Ellerbe’s strengths. After Ireland was gone, the Dolphins moved on from Ellerbe.

Ellerbe was traded to the New Orleans Saints where Ireland had surfaced as a member of the teams personnel department. The trade brough young fast receiver Kenny Stills to Miami but the trade wasn’t a straight up deal. That’s what makes this trade, make this list. In order to get Stills the Dolphins needed to ship both Ellerbe and a 3rd round pick to the Saints. The problem was Miami needed every early pick they could get. Without the 3rd round selection, Miami was unable to address its biggest off-season needs.

Next: Brandon Marshall