The NFL’s first blockbuster of the offseason doesn’t include the Dolphins, but it could still complicate things for Miami
Trent McDuffie’s trade could end up impacting Miami next month.
The NFL’s first big blockbuster trade has arrived. And, for full transparency, it does not involve the Miami Dolphins.
Kansas City Chiefs star cornerback Trent McDuffie is on the move — he’ll head to Los Angeles to joint the Rams in a massive swap that offers some echoes of the Chiefs’ trade of WR Tyreek Hill to Miami back in 2022. But nostalgia isn’t the story here. The story is rooted in the potential implications on the Dolphins’ opportunities in April stemming from this deal.
Rams’ blockbuster deal for Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie could make life harder on the Dolphins in April
The Rams sent their pick at No. 29 as the centerpiece of the deal, leaving Los Angeles with one additional first-round pick — and it comes at No. 13 overall, two spots behind Miami’s first pick at No. 11 overall. And Los Angeles, after this deal is processed and finalized, is going to be draft pick deficient. As things currently stand, the Rams own picks at 13th overall, 61st overall, 93rd overall, and then don’t pick again inside the top-200.
It could, possibly, make them a candidate for trading down from No. 13 overall. The Rams may also be perfectly content to field a minimal draft class this year. But if they do look to recoup picks and move down, it’s worth noting Miami has also done some posturing that they may be a trade down team.
So put yourself in the shoes of a team picking in the 20’s. You’d like to jump up and make a splash. The Rams, if shopping No. 13, would be in position to cut down any offers Miami gets, because those teams would have a possible seller sitting a few spots closer to the 20’s. It is no guarantee that Miami will actively and aggressively pursue a trade down, but any personnel moves this spring that cut down on the Dolphins’ leverage for a given pathway must be catalogued. That’s exactly what this is, a potential complication to one of Miami’s endless possibilities this spring.