Phin Phanatic
FanSided

Miami Dolphins trading for Jadeveon Clowney makes no sense

By Matthew Stevens

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 15: Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Houston Texans hits quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 15, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 15: Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Houston Texans hits quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on December 15, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

While the Miami Dolphins completed their final preseason game, the rumors about a proposed trade for Jadeveon Clowney persist.

The question on most Miami Dolphins fan’s minds is why are they making a trade for Jadeveon Clowney and what is this going to cost?

Just to preface this article, it’s assumed that what is being reported by ‘insiders’ like Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson and ESPN’s  Adam Schefter are accurate (or at least have some truth to them.)

The biggest reason why this trade makes no sense is because Clowney seems like he doesn’t really want to come to the Dolphins.  Sure, he spent some time this past week meeting with the Dolphins management and coaches.  The question that needs to be asked is why would Clowney visit Miami when it’s widely known that Clowney wants to go to a contender (like Philadelphia or Seattle)?

The obvious conclusion is that Houston wants to make a deal with Miami and the Dolphins needed to try to ‘pitch’ Clowney on the future of the team.  The fact that the deal still isn’t done leads you to believe that the Dolphins didn’t change his mind so where does that leave the Dolphins?

It leaves Miami once again chasing a player that doesn’t really want to play here but knows that Stephen Ross is famous for opening his wallet for players.  (i.e. Suh, Mike Wallace, Karlos Dansby, etc)  In the framework of a ‘rebuild’, Miami needs to stop begging players to come here; even if that player is a 26-year-old pass rusher.

A second reason this trade seems doomed to fail is because of money versus production.  Even if Clowney does decide he wants to play for the Dolphins, is the production he brings worth $16M+ over the next 4-5 years?  He played on the same defense as J.J. Watt and still didn’t break double digits in sacks in either of the last two seasons.

Trade compensation is the final reason why Miami should run away from this deal.  Given Clowney’s preference to play for a contender, it would be easier for Houston to negotiate a deal with the Eagles or Seahawks.  The only reason Houston would choose the Dolphins is if Miami is willing to offer more than those other teams (in other words, overpay).

Trading LT Laremy Tunsil for Clowney should be out of the question no matter what the Dolphins could get in return.  Even if the Dolphins could get Clowney for Stills/Parker and Drake (which the Texans would be dumb to do) that still leaves the Dolphins paying $16M for what would probably end up being a one-year rental.

Consider HC Brian Flores has preached since day one that he wants players “willing to put the team first”, the addition of Clowney just seems like the opposite of what the team has been trying to do for the last 6 months.

Home/Dolphins News