Dolphins Trade No. 3 Pick To 49ers, Send No. 12 To Eagles
The Dolphins have agreed to trade the No. 3 overall pick to the 49ers for the No. 12 pick, a 2021 third-rounder, and first-round picks in 2022 and 2023 (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). The Niners may use the choice to select their next quarterback, though sources tell Schefter that Jimmy Garoppolo will be staying put. 
Meanwhile, the Dolphins quickly pivoted towards another blockbuster of their own, dealing that No. 12 overall choice, No. 123, and a 2022 first-round pick to the Eagles in exchange for Nos. 6 and 156. In effect, the Dolphins secured future first-round ammo in exchange for moving from No. 3 to No. 6. From here, the can use their bevy of picks to build around Tua Tagovailoa — or swing another blockbuster for a veteran QB.
The 49ers are moving to No. 3 with the expectation that the Jaguars will take Trevor Lawrence first overall. At No. 2, many believe the Jets will go QB as well — perhaps BYU’s Zach Wilson or Ohio State’s Justin Fields. After that, the Niners would have their pick of the litter. Even if Garoppolo remains, they could weigh Wilson or Fields (depending on which is still available), North Dakota State’s Trey Lance, or Alabama’s Mac Jones.
At No. 12, the Eagles are unlikely to have most of those QBs on the table. By dropping six spots, it appears that the Eagles are ready to move forward with Jalen Hurts in 2021. They also have a 2022 first-round pick — the Dolphins’ original choice – that they can use to fill other gaps. The Birds have been connected to Wilson for a while. But, as NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport explains (Twitter link), GM Howie Roseman ultimately felt that adding a future first-rounder would be better for the team in the long run.
Dolphins Won’t Draft Tagovailoa Replacement
Before sexual abuse lawsuits were filed against Deshaun Watson, the Dolphins were among the favorites to land the Texans’ signal-caller (if Houston actually agreed to trade him, of course). If that happened, then Miami’s own QB, Tua Tagovailoa, would either be in Houston as part of the trade return or playing second fiddle to Watson on the Dolphins’ bench.
While a Watson trade seems like an impossibility at this point, there has been plenty of chatter that Miami could nonetheless seek a Tagovailoa upgrade in the draft. The club is armed with the No. 3 and No. 18 overall selections, and while Trevor Lawrence will be selected by the Jaguars at No. 1 overall, the Dolphins could be in a position to land a passer like BYU’s Zach Wilson or Ohio State’s Justin Fields.
But as Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald writes, the Dolphins will not draft a Tagovailoa replacement in this year’s draft. Salguero says the consensus in the scouting community is that the club is not looking to draft a QB with the No. 3 pick, and that Miami might even trade down from that selection in order to accumulate even more draft capital. As such, unless they’re absolutely in love with Alabama’s Mac Jones or another collegiate QB that could be available later on in the first round, the Dolphins appear set to roll with their second-year southpaw. Apparently, the only quarterback they would have considered to replace Tagovailoa would have been Watson.
GM Chris Grier said back in January that Tagovailoa would be the team’s starter — though he did decline to say whether the team would consider drafting a quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick — and head coach Brian Flores said earlier this month that he was excited to work with his young passer. As expected, though, that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from churning.
After all, Tagovailoa had something of an up-and-down rookie campaign, and Flores turned to Ryan Fitzpatrick as a “reliever” during several of Tagovailoa’s more difficult outings. But the No. 5 overall pick of the 2020 draft also showed some flashes, and he will be given a chance to make a sophomore leap.
Latest On FA OL Isaiah Wilson
Things aren’t looking up for Isaiah Wilson. We learned today that the embattled lineman was arrested back in January following “a high-speed car chase” in Georgia (via ESPN’s Turron Davenport).
According to the police report, an officer witnessed a car driving at speeds of 123 mph, leading to a pursuit. The chase was eventually called off when speeds exceeded 140 mph. The car ultimately crashed, and after observing Wilson emerge from the car’s sunroof, an ICE officer placed the player under arrest. A female was also in the vehicle and was arrested after police found a metal grinder filled with marijuana.
Per Davenport, Wilson was charged with “felony fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, speeding in a construction zone, reckless driving, reckless conduct, possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana, and possession and use of drug-related objects.”
The 29th overall pick of last year’s draft, Wilson was traded from the Titans to Miami earlier this month. It didn’t take him long to fall out of favor with his new team, as he allegedly “refused team efforts to help him to get his life on track.” The Dolphins decided to cut bait with the lineman this past weekend, and the 22-year0old passed through waivers unclaimed. According to Davenport, the Dolphins were aware of Wilson’s arrest prior to making the trade.
The offensive lineman from Georgia appeared in just one game as a rookie, playing only three offensive snaps, and was also suspended at one point for a violation of team rules. Considering his age and draft pedigree, Wilson will probably get a final chance from another organization, but continued off-the-field issues won’t help his case.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/24/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DE Efe Obada
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: K Matt Ammendola
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LS Joe Fortunato
Miami Dolphins
- Re-Signed: LB Elandon Roberts
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB LaRoy Reynolds
Seattle Seahawks
- Re-Signed: OL Jordan Simmons
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/23/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: S Geno Stone
Houston Texans
- Re-Signed: LS Jon Weeks
- Released: LS Anthony Kukwa
Miami Dolphins
- Re-signed: WR Mack Hollins
New England Patriots
- Released: LB Cassh Maluia, LB Michael Pinckney
New York Jets
- Released: LB Del’Shawn Phillips
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: WR Deontay Burnett
Washington Football Team
- Re-Signed: CB Danny Johnson, LB Jared Norris
Dolphins Host DL Lawrence Guy
Brian Flores is once again trying to recruit one of his former players to Miami. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter) that the Dolphins hosted veteran defensive tackle Lawrence Guy on a free agent visit.
Guy bounced around the NFL during his first six seasons in the NFL, spending time with the Packers, Colts, Chargers, and Ravens. He landed in New England in 2017, and he’s been a consistent starter for the organization over the past four years. The former seventh rounder has started 60 of his 62 appearances for the Patriots, compiling 235 tackles, seven tackles, 27 QB hits, and 16 tackles for loss.
He also started seven playoff games for the Patriots, including a 2018 run that saw him earn his lone Super Bowl ring. Thanks to his four-year performance, Guy earned a surprising spot on the team’s 2010s All-Decade Team.
Despite his consistent performance in New England, it seems like Guy’s stint with the organization has come to an end. The organization brought in three defensive linemen in former Dolphin Davon Godchaux, Henry Anderson, Montravius Adams, and they also re-signed Deatrich Wise and Carl Davis.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/22/21
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Released: K Lirim Hajrullahu
Los Angeles Chargers
- Re-signed: TE Stephen Anderson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DL Matt Dickerson
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR/QB: Kai Locksley
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: LB Ola Adeniyi
Dolphins Cut OL Isaiah Wilson
Isaiah Wilson‘s stint with the Dolphins has ended before it really began. Miami has cut the embattled offensive lineman, reports Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald.
According to Beasley, the Dolphins tried to help the struggling offensive lineman following his trade to the organization. However, the player “refused team efforts to help him to get his life on track.” Wilson reportedly showed up late for his physical, was late for his orientation with the organization, and skipped a pair of workouts that he had committed to. Beasley adds that the player also recently posted videos to social media that showed him “inhaling a vape and dancing shirtless on a car.” The Dolphins decision to cut the lineman came before those videos were posted.
The 2020 first-round pick played just four snaps as a rookie, running into multifront trouble last year. He was issued a trespass warning for attending a party at Tennessee State University last summer. That preceded a September DUI arrest. The Titans suspended Wilson in December and ended his season by placing him on the reserve/NFI list days later. Wilson voiced a desire to leave the Titans, in a since-deleted tweet, earlier this year.
That led to Wilson’s trade to Miami earlier this month. The Dolphins didn’t give up a whole lot for the lineman’s services; the team sent a 2021 seventh-round pick to the Titans in exchange for Wilson and a 2022 seventh-rounder.
Now, the lineman will hit waivers, but considering both the Titans’ and Dolphins’ willingness to bail on the highly-touted prospect, there’s a good chance he’ll hit free agency.
Dolphins To Sign LBs Duke Riley, Brennan Scarlett
On Day 3 of official free agency, the Dolphins are adding multiple linebacker pieces. They have agreed to terms with Duke Riley and Brennan Scarlett, according to NJ.com’s Mike Kaye and the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson (Twitter links).
Both players finished last season on IR. While each could offer depth, both Riley and Scarlett have starting experience. Both spent part of the 2020 season operating as starters — for the Eagles and Texans, respectively. Riley agreed to terms on a one-year pact, per Kaye.
A five-year Texans contributor, Scarlett started 22 games. The former UDFA worked as more of a pass rusher in Houston, playing on the outside in the Texans’ 3-4 scheme, but also offers some versatility. Scarlett started 10 games in 2019, registering 51 tackles and recording 3.5 sacks. He suffered a season-ending broken forearm midway through last season.
The Eagles signed Riley a year ago and used him as a starter in eight games. Despite missing three games, Riley played on 55% of Philadelphia’s defensive snaps. A Falcons starter in 2017 and ’18, Riley recorded 55 tackles last season and was a special teams captain in Philly.
Scarlett makes for the second ex-Texans linebacker the Dolphins have acquired this week. They traded for Benardrick McKinney a few days ago. Miami also brought back linebacker Vince Biegel this week.
NFL Contract Details: Jones, Floyd, Williams, QBs
Some assorted contract details from around the NFL:
- RB Aaron Jones, Packers: Four years, $48MM, including $20MM over first two years. $7MM roster bonus in 2023. Owed $16MM in 2023 and $12MM in 2024. Via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero on Twitter.
- LB Leonard Floyd, Rams: Four years, $64MM, including $32.5MM guaranteed. $14MM signing bonus. Salaries: $2MM (2021, fully guaranteed), $16.5MM (2022, fully guaranteed), $15.5MM (2023), $16MM (2024). Via Pelissero on Twitter.
- DE Leonard Williams, Giants: Three years, $63MM, including $45MM. $22.5MM signing bonus. Salaries: $3.5MM (2021, fully guaranteed), $19MM (2022, fully guaranteed), $18MM (2023). Cap charges: $11MM (2021), $26.5MM (2022), $25.5MM (2023). Via Manish Mehta on Twitter.
- QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Washington: One year, $10MM, including $6MM guaranteed. Max value of $12MM. $6MM signing bonus. $3MM base salary, $1MM per-game roster bonuses. Up to $2MM in incentives. Via Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post on Twitter.
- QB Jacoby Brissett, Dolphins: One year, $5MM, including $2.5MM guaranteed. $2.5MM signing bonus, up to $2.5MM in incentives. Via Pelissero on Twitter.
- QB Andy Dalton, Bears: One year, $10MM. $7MM signing bonus, $3MM base salary, up to $3MM in incentives. Via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle on Twitter.
- LB Carl Lawson, Jets: Three years, $45MM, including $30MM guaranteed. $1MM signing bonus. Salaries: $6.2MM (2021, plus $7.8MM roster bonus), $15MM (2022), $15MM (2023). Cap charges: $14.3MM (2021), $15.3MM (2022), $15.3MM (2023). Up to $800K in sack incentives each year. Via Mehta on Twitter.