The Miami Dolphins would like to try and trade veteran left tackle Branden Albert rather than release him outright. The Jacksonville Jaguars are said to be among the teams interested in his services, according to the Miami Herald. Miami planned on releasing him but didn’t because there was trade interest.
Jaguars reportedly interested in trading for Branden Albert
The Dolphins reportedly got a call about trading their veteran left tackle. Was it the Jaguars on the line?
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
However, according to the report, the level of mutual interest is unclear. Albert signed a five-year, $47 million contract in 2014. He has two years left on that deal. If Miami trades Albert, it would save $7.2 million on the team’s salary cap.
The Jaguars have a clear need at the position. They declined to pick up the contract option for Kelvin Beachum, who was their left tackle last season, making him a free agent. Jacksonville signed him to a five-year, $45 million contract last year, but he did not live up to that huge deal.
Albert, 32, is a two-time Pro Bowler and one of the best blindside protectors in the NFL.
Jacksonville has a lot of questions that it needs to answer over the offseason. Quarterback Blake Bortles struggled to make plays last season, committing back-breaking turnovers. At times, the young signal caller looked uncomfortable in the pocket.
However, Bortles cannot shoulder most of the blame for Jacksonville’s woes on offense. Opposing defenses sacked Bortles 34 times in 2016, so trading for Albert would bolster the Jaguars’ offensive line.
Albert brings experience and knowledge but not durability. In three years with the Dolphins, he never played a full season. Miami took Laremy Tunsil in last year’s draft, and the team is ready to commit to him as its starting left tackle next season.
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