The NFL offseason is well underway and many teams are already making moves. Although the new NFL season doesn't start until March 9, players are visiting with teams, teams are deciding whether to franchise tag their priority player, and many players are getting contract extensions. Trades have been under the radar, but yesterday the Jaguars agreed to trade TE Julius Thomas to the Dolphins for a 2017 seventh-round pick. The teams also made another deal, sending LT Brandon Albert to the Jaguars for a 2018 seventh-round pick.
Much needed help
On the Dolphins side of the trade, they receive TE Julius Thomas.
Thomas is remembered for his days in Denver with the Broncos, where in his last two seasons playing with them he had 108 receptions for 1,287 yards, and 24 touchdowns. He was a primary target for Peyton Manning at the time and really put his name on the map.
In 2015, Thomas signed with the Jaguars, but he never found the same Mile High magic he had in Denver. He only has 9 touchdowns in his two seasons there, and was injured this past season, only playing nine games. The Dolphins get the help they need at tight end, as Dion Sims and Jordan Cameron have been inconsistent, and are also unrestricted free agents this year. The Dolphins were second to last in tight end reception yards with only 551 yards all last season.
The Dolphins aren't risking much in this trade, as they are giving up a seventh-round pick for a player who has been great, but maybe needs to be put in a better situation to prosper.
Jags get veteran quality
As for Jacksonville, they receive LT Brandon Albert, who is a quality tackle in the NFL if he could stay on the field.
Albert missed 13 games in three seasons due to injuries. The Jags could use a left tackle, as they need to protect their QB Blake Bortles. The Jags gave up 34 sacks last year, and how could you develop your franchise QB if he is on the ground. Albert has been a reliable tackle throughout his career, but his recent injuries have risen questions, as he is already 32-years-old.
He believes he can still play at a high level but needs to prove it through the OTAs and training camp. They also gave up a seventh-round pick, so there isn't too much being lost in this transaction.
As the NFL offseason moves on, expect many teams to move pieces in order to obtain cap space, and draft picks. This transaction won't be official until March 9, the new year of the NFL. Both player must pass a physical, and both teams hopefully won't back out of the deal. This is only the beginning of a long NFL offseason.
