The Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins seem to be at a standstill with a trade that would send left tackle Branden Albert to the Dolphins, Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald reported.
Branden Albert trade rumors: Jonathan Martin bulks up while Chiefs trade ‘at standstill’
Time is winding down for the Chiefs and Dolphins to complete a deal before the draft.
Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
The Dolphins seem determined to trade for Albert in order to replace Jake Long, who left in free agency to sign with the St. Louis Rams. But because of the nature of the trade involving draft picks, the deadline to execute a deal is fast approaching.
The Chiefs are seeking one of Miami’s second-round picks in the deal, so that would mean the de facto deadline to make a deal would be Friday afternoon. Another question needing to be resolved, Beasley said, is if the Dolphins are willing to give Albert a top-dollar contract extension, a question at which they balked in negotiations with Long.
Dolphins center Mike Pouncey supported the Dolphins' pursuit of Albert.
“When you’ve got to replace a guy like Jake Long, you need an elite-caliber type player to play that position. Left tackle is obviously the hardest position on the offensive line. You’re going up against the best guys, week in and week out. I think [Albert] would be a great fit for us.”
While the Dolphins' left-tackle situation remains unresolved, Jonathan Martin is bulking up, Beasley said. Martin played left tackle in college and finished the season there last season when Long was injured. Beasley said Dolphins coaches had not instructed Martin to focus on one side or the other during the offseason.
“I played left for so long, so I’m still a little more comfortable there, but I think I can play both positions comfortably,” Martin said. “I know [Albert] is a good player. He’s a veteran. He’s a guy [who has] been around for a long time. Any time you can add a great player to your team, you want to take advantage of that.”
More from SB Nation:
See More:
