Report: Fins Talking With Chiefs LT Branden Albert
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The rumors heading into the 2013 NFL Draft next Thursday are that the Miami Dolphins are considering moving up in the first round to draft one of the elite left tackles available this year, namely Luke Joeckel or Eric Fisher.
But, a report from Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network could blow that theory out of the water and be music to the ears of Dolphins fans. Rapoport reported the Dolphins are considering a trade of a second-round pick for Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Branden Albert.
ESPN.com took it one step further and said the Dolphins have been given permission to talk to Albert about contract parameters that could help facilitate a trade between the two teams.
The move makes so much sense it's almost too smart for both sides. The Dolphins have a massive hole at left tackle and could use Albert to plug said hole for the next few years. Kansas City would then recoup the second round pick they lost in the Alex Smith trade with the 49ers.
Miami also has two second round picks this year, which means the Fins would keep a second round pick along with the teams' top pick and two third round picks.
Albert does want a long-term contract, but the parameters aren't known. He's currently under the franchise tag with the Chiefs but if the Dolphins can work out a trade for him, the tag would be lifted and Kansas City would send him to Miami.
Albert is a six-year pro out of Virginia and was drafted in the first round by the Chiefs in 2008.
If the Fins acquire Albert, it would free up general manager Jeff Ireland to use his first-round pick on another need position like guard, cornerback, or defensive end, or Ireland could even look to trade down a few picks to get the draft's top tight end.
