The Dolphins have agreed to trade linebacker Raekwon McMillan to the Raiders, according to a source who spoke with Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald (on Twitter). In exchange, the Raiders are sending a 2021 fourth-round pick to Miami, but they’ll also receive a 2021 fifth-round pick along with McMillan (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). 
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In 2019, McMillan ranked as the Dolphins’ best defensive player, according to Pro Football Focus. Earlier this year, the Dolphins were said to be considering an extension for McMillan, but the pandemic threw a wrench into those talks. The Dolphins also had their doubts about McMillan’s pass coverage, and they were planning to mostly use him on run downs this year. DeVante Parker, Jesse Davis, Allen Hurns, and Jakeem Grant all received extensions recently, but the Dolphins ultimately did not want to lock down the young ‘backer.
McMillan, who has one year and $1.1MM left on his deal, will now try to make his case in Las Vegas. There, he’ll support a revamped linebacker group that previously had depth concerns, despite the additions of Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski.
McMillan wasn’t the right fit for Brian Flores‘ 3-4 hybrid scheme, but he could fare better with Jon Gruden. He comes to the Raiders with ample experience, having started 28 of his 29 games since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2017.
Smartly, they held on to Ghostface Killa and the Meth…m-e-t-h-o-d man!
I know McMillan isn’t the best fit for this defense, but I feel as though Miami could’ve done better than a swap of late round picks…
Agreed. I’m on board with Flo & Grier, but there’s a few shaky decisions here and there lately.
*Ereck Flowers and Shaq Lawson contracts*
Agreed. Seems like a low return for a good tackler and a high pick. MacMillan likely wants a big contract, but a fourth for a fifth is pretty…well, disappointing.
I love this move for Vegas. Low cost, high upside.
MacMillan was Urban Meyers favorite player at Ohio State. Minkah Fitzpatrick was one of Saban’s favorites. Dolphins were super excited to draft both and build around them… until they weren’t. Makes you wonder what Tua’s expiration date as a Dolphin is, a year from now? Two, three years from now? Grier’s gotta go.
@Tmandolfan
Kind of reaching there. Fitzpatrick whined until he was traded because he didn’t want to play any position other than free safety. Funny after the season with the Steelers he changed his tune, when the balls stopped coming his way, and now he wants to move around.
McMillan was drafted under a different coaching staff where he skill set fit into the defense better. Brian Flores’ defense requires more versatile players at the ILB positions. A 2 down run stuffing LB who is a liability in coverage would not have seen many snaps with all the new faces the Dolphins have at LB this year. Trading a guy who doesn’t fit well into your defense a year before they would have left in free agency is not uncommon. Sure you would have liked to get more for him but his trade value apparently wasn’t all that high.
Why would you trade McMillan
To get that coveted fourth round pick lol
@Brownsfan83
He is a one dimensional 2 down run stuffing LB who was a huge liability in coverage. He was getting outplayed in camp by guys who would have most likely started ahead of him. He was on the last year of his deal lowering his trade value but they must have felt it was better to move up a round in the draft than keep him as a backup for this season then lose him in free agency next season.
Method Man will be at Safety
Imagine trading the guy ranked as your best defender for a 4th and 5th round pick. This is why bad teams stay bad.
@Black Ace57
He was on last year of his deal, was getting outplayed by other more versatile players during camp, is one dimensional and would have most likely seen a huge reduction in his snap count if he had made the team. Not hard to understand at all. They felt moving up a round in the draft was worth more than having him as a backup for this season then get nothing when he left next year in free agency.
Tough adjustment for McMillian and Wife.
But, as they say, The Show Must Go On !!
@Black Ace57 they only got a 4th. McMillian and a 5th is going to L.V.
He is a young player with a lot of talent. He is touted as a run stopper. On film he needs to be coached up a bit, he misses the hole often and is a celebratory clean up. He has awesome east west speed but really lacks in dropping back coverage.
The idea is to eventually get the offense into 3rd down. Then win.
Seems like a good return for a 4th/5th round swap. Considering how awful our linebacking was last year, it feels like we are finally approaching mediocrity. Believe it or, that’s a big move.