Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Branden Albert trade possible
Tackle could go to Jags for TE Julius Thomas
CORAL GABLES — The Miami Dolphins are working on a trade with Jacksonville that would swap left tackle Branden Albert for Jaguars tight end Julius Thomas, according to league sources.
The trade may be contingent on Albert and Thomas restructuring their contracts. The players would also need to pass physicals, and a deal can’t be finalized until the start of the new league year on March 9.
However, multiple sources say that all parties are willing participants, and that includes Albert, who said so directly to the Sun Sentinel.
“Why ruffle feathers when you don’t have to?” Albert said when asked about the potential trade to Jacksonville, which he wouldn’t confirm details of. “It’s the business of the game. I honestly believe where I’m going to go is the right fit. It is going to be a surprise when [the terms] come out.
“Where I’m going they put a lot of faith in me, and they know they are getting loyalty back,” said Albert, who noted that he’s around 305 pounds and that the left wrist injury he played with in the second half of the season is finally healed. “My faith, me being a man of Christ, I know God is going to point me where he wants me to be.”
The Dolphins were planning to release Albert on Thursday, which would have cleared $7.2 million in salary cap space, but the Jaguars notified Miami that they had
interest in a trade. Albert’s contract runs through 2018.
Thomas is guaranteed $3 million of his $7.1 million salary for 2017, which includes a $100,000 workout bonus. He’s slated to make $8.6 million in 2018 and $9 million in 2019, and it’s likely that the Dolphins would want to rework those numbers.
It’s possible they could lower Thomas’ base salaries in 2018 and 2019 by guaranteeing him more money on the front end of the deal, which is what the Dolphins did with cornerback Byron Maxwell after trading for him last offseason.
Adding the 6-foot-5 Thomas, who turns 29 in June, would provide Miami’s offense a seam threat they lacked last season. Thomas caught 30 passes for 281 yards and four touchdowns in the nine games he played in 2016.
In 2013 and 2014, he was considered one of the NFL’s top up-and-coming tight ends after catching 108 passes for 1,277 yards and scoring 24 touchdowns over those two seasons with the Denver Broncos.
During that productive run, Dolphins coach Adam Gase was Thomas’ offensive coordinator.
Tight end is a glaring need for the Dolphins, considering Jordan Cameron, who missed most of last season with a concussion, and Dion Sims, who is viewed as primarily a blocking tight end, are both free agents.
Adding Thomas would also give the Dolphins a redzone threat, but his blocking has been a shortcoming throughout his career.
If the Dolphins can’t finalize a trade, they would likely release the 32-year-old Albert, as they’re poised to hand the left tackle position to 2016 top pick Laremy Tunsil.
Losing Albert means Miami needs to find two starters on the offensive line — one at left guard, where Tunsil spent most of last season, and another at right guard, where Jermon Bushrod is a free agent.
It also creates a leadership void on offense, as Albert was one of the team’s best in that area.
“My tenure in Miami, I served my purpose. I was brought here to help change the culture, and I believe I did that,” said Albert, a three-time Pro Bowl selection. “Now the team is on a winning path and I leave my mark on the people I was supposed to leave it with, the youngsters on the team.”
Albert said he was willing to play guard for the Dolphins, but only if he was compensated properly. He’s confident that Tunsil will blossom as his replacement at left tackle.
“He’s one of the most gifted athletes I’ve seen, and it’s hard for me to say that because I’m competitive,” Albert said. “I haven’t seen a young talent like that so equipped, and ready to play. But it’s a responsibility as a left tackle to be that guy, to be a leader.”
Dolphins management has said it plans to get younger on the offensive line, allowing the 2017 unit to grow together.
If the trade with the Jaguars is finalized, Albert would replace Kelvin Beachum as Jacksonville’s left tackle. The Jaguars decided not to pick up an option on Beachum for the 2017 season.
The Jaguars are coming off a 3-13 season. Doug Marrone is taking over as head coach on a permanent basis after going 1-1 as the interim coach following Gus Bradley’s firing.
For the Dolphins, the money potentially given to Thomas and needed to sign a guard or two could impact their offer to free-agent receiver Kenny Stills.