Miami Dolphins “60-40” to get Branden Albert
The Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs are resuming trade talks regarding prized left tackle Branden Albert, and it will be interesting to see at what lengths Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland goes to in order to land Albert. The Dolphins traded up yesterday, but it wasn’t to get an offensive tackle. Instead, the Dolphins traded with the Oakland Raiders and nabbed Oregon Ducks star pass rusher Dion Jordan with the third pick in the draft. However, the Dolphins lost the 42nd pick in the draft, and this was the pick the Chiefs heavily coveted. The Dolphins, though, reportedly didn’t want to trade a second-rounder and they instead viewed Albert as worthy of a third-round choice.
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Branden Albert will come at a heavy cost for the Miami Dolphins financially, and the Dolphins are reportedly prepared to shell out $9 million per season to Albert- that’s more than what they would have paid Jake Long. Although Albert doesn’t deserve that kind of money, it seems like Ireland and the Dolphins aren’t too concerned about overpaying for an upgrade at tackle. However, the Dolphins don’t want to give up too much in the form of draft assets for Albert, on top of what they would be paying Albert.
According to the well-connected Armando Salguerro of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins chances of landing Branden Albert from the Kansas City Chiefs is at “60-40”, so it is likely that both sides come to an agreement in the end. Whether the Chiefs are willing to deal Albert straight-up for a third-rounder will be interesting, but it is telling that the Chiefs are reportedly comfortable with slotting in the newly drafted Eric Fisher at right tackle if need be. It is also telling that the Dolphins decided to trade up for a non-OT. Does this mean the Dolphins are willing to add in another piece to the third-rounder if need be?
After adding Dion Jordan, something tells me that Jared Odrick could be involved in this deal. He would fit the Chiefs defense much better, as he is no longer a fit with the Dolphins 4-3 after switching from the 3-4. Odrick isn’t fast or a good enough pass rusher to fit the 4-3, but he could end up being a solid DE in the 3-4. Salguerro speculated earlier this offseason that Odrick could be on the trade block, so I think we should watch for Odrick’s name in these talks closely.
You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.