Three non-negotiables for any potential players the Miami Dolphins trade for this summer
We probably shouldn’t expect any players coming to the Miami Dolphins via trade this summer. But if we get one, here are three things to expect.
If the Miami Dolphins end up jostling around some talent on their roster in the weeks and months ahead, they’d be well within their right to do so. Some teams across the league may have a surplus of talent available to them — and Miami could benefit from making some business happen. Is it likely we see a player traded to the Dolphins? No, probably not.
But if someone were. Hypothetically speaking, of course. What are the conditions that would be required for Miami to trade for a player at some point this season? There are a few things that would likely be considered “non-negotiable” if I were Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.
Three non-negotiables for any potential players the Miami Dolphins trade for this summer
Player For Player Swaps Required
Let’s start here — the Miami Dolphins still aren’t in the business of trading away draft picks for veteran players. Miami needs the long-term value and security those picks provide to pool young players. So if you’re asking for a 5th round pick for your surplus safety or wide receiver, it may be time to kick rocks. Perhaps a draft pick swap could be in the cards. But by and large, whittling out draft capital for 2026 talent feels short-sighted.
Nothing else this franchise has done in the last 4 months has been that. So player for player swaps (which will be very niche to find) feel like they have the most promise, especially if someone is interested in talent left of from the old regime here in Miami.
Players Must Be On Rookie Contracts
Speaking of rookie contracts. Ideally, any players the Miami Dolphins consider trading for in the months ahead are players that are still on one. The controlled cost that comes from a rookie contract is something these Dolphins MUST prioritize.
There lies the challenge with projecting trades for the Miami Dolphins this summer. What caliber of players on rookie contracts are going to be available for trading? Probably underachievers (to this point) or, like Miami, players amid a regime change. That won’t be everyone.
Guaranteed Money Is A Guaranteed Issue!
The Dolphins gave out just over $56 million in guarantees this year in free agency. It’s a modest number. But when you consider that QB Malik Willis got $45 million of it, that leaves just $11 million in total guarantees to the other 19 players Miami signed on the open market thus far in 2026.
That’s less than $600k average. Guarantees aren’t “in” right now in South Florida. So if you’re another NFL team shopping a player with long-term guarantees, you may just want to skip the phone call to Miami.
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