Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Miami trades for offensive tackle Wilson, a 2020 first-round pick
The Miami Dolphins have traded for a former first-round pick who dealt with several issues during his rookie season in the NFL last year.
But the Dolphins’ hope is the offensive lineman can turn his career around with a transition to Miami with some familiarity to help along the way.
The Dolphins will acquire right tackle Isaiah Wilson in a trade with the Tennessee Titans, a league source confirmed to the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Monday night.
Wilson, the No. 29 pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft, attended Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, New York — the same school Dolphins coach Brian Flores attended.
If Wilson can turn his NFL career around under Flores in Miami, the Dolphins could have a talented addition to their offensive line to support quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Miami will also receive a seventh-round pick from the Titans in exchange for a seventh-round pick, the NFL Network reported, giving the Dolphins incredible value for the deal.
The Dolphins are on the hook for around $4.5 million of Wilson’s rookie contract, which was a four-year, $11.5 million deal that included a $5.9 million signing bonus and a fifth-year option.
Wilson played only four snaps during his first NFL season, which began with a trespassing warning after a party at Tennessee State University last August and a DUI arrest on Sept. 12 in Nashville, Tenn.
Wilson was also placed on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list twice during his rookie season, once in training camp and last October.
Wilson becomes the fourth first-round pick from the 2020 draft on the Dolphins roster, joining Tagovailoa, who was the fifth pick, left tackle Austin Jackson, the No. 18 pick, and cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, the No. 30 pick.
Wilson played collegiately at the University of Georgia alongside current Dolphins offensive lineman Solomon Kindley, a fourth-round pick by Miami in the 2020 draft.
If Wilson is can turn his career around, he could provide the Dolphins with a talented right tackle to protect Tagovailoa’s blind side and be a crucial piece to a developing offensive line in Miami.
Wilson’s ability to play right tackle could potentially elevate him to a starting role, where the Dolphins may have to shuffle some other players already on the line.
Wilson joins a crowded room with starting experience, including Jackson, Kindley, fellow second-year guard/tackle Robert Hunt and veterans Ereck Flowers and Jesse Davis.
Center Ted Karras, who started all 16 games last season is a free agent, while guard/center Michael Dieter enters his third year with the team after being Miami’s thirdround pick in 2019.
The Dolphins’ trade of Wilson also indicated Miami may not use its No. 3 or 18 picks in the 2021 NFL draft on an offensive linemen, with the prospects to trade down in the draft, or select two talented playmakers this offseason.