While never the end-all-be-all for accuracy of news, social media was atwitter Friday with speculation of trade rumors. Most specifically, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Heading into a Week 6 bye, off of a road win in New England, the 2-3 Dolphins will next face the Colts in Indianapolis a week from Sunday. Despite Miami just a game out of first place in the AFC East, the rumor mill was active going into the weekend.
For starters, trading Hill should not be entertained. The Dolphins expect Tua Tagovailoa to return from the IR Week 8 and have an opportunity to get to 3-3. Barring any setback, the Dolphins’ home game against the Arizona Cardinals should be when Tagovailoa returns as the Dolphins starter. Regardless of the recent efforts of Tyler “Snoop” Huntley, the passing game seems to only drive well with Tagovailoa behind the wheel. Hypothetically, if news hit that Tagovailoa was done for the season, trading Hill would be more easily understandable.
However, Hill is weeks removed from a contract extension as well as costing Miami several valuable assets in the 2022 trade with Kansas City. There would be no chance at getting an equal return in any scenario, so dealing Hill for pennies on the dollar will never be prudent. Additionally, as per OverTheCap.com, a trade of Hill in-season would create roughly $12 million in dead cap in 2024 and a bit over $19 million in 2025 dead cap.
Regardless of potential savings within Miami’s 2025 salary cap, is it truly wise to deal a top target of a quarterback who also just signed an extension? The only acceptable scenario where the Dolphins should even fathom dealing Hill would be if, and only if, Tagovailoa is shut down this season. Of course, the spark of these rumors could have been as simple as Hill doing his own social media instigating, which is a standard trait of his.
Even if Hill, posting Chiefs highlights, is simply toying with his followers and fans, there is no “win” in any potential trade scenario exporting him out of Miami. Now, importing a player could be a different story altogether. Another rumor was lit on the socials with the potential shopping of Colts guard Quenton Nelson and interest from the Chicago Bears.
With Miami needing added depth, at least on the offensive line, especially the interior, Nelson is a top-tier talent. He has made six Pro Bowls in his six NFL seasons, and his ability to get out to the next level in run blocking could be worth any price tag. Of course, a lot of moving parts would go with Miami becoming “buyers” heading into an approaching trade deadline on November 5th. Should Miami get to 3-3, that would mean a Week 7 win over the Colts, who could have as many as five losses at this point.
If Miami could return Tagovailoa at .500, while Indianapolis could be in for a rough second half of the season, general manager Chris Grier could right some wrongs here. Grier has infamously deflected worry or any concern over the Dolphins offensive line. No matter how good or bad any NFL group has been, if there is a chance at getting one of the league’s top interior linemen, a call may have to be made.
Miami has a solid war chest of 2025 draft picks, and the only round they are not scheduled to pick in so far is the sixth. They traded their owned third-rounder for Jaylen Wright last April, but they should receive a pair of compensatory picks in the same round, pending how that formula shakes out come season’s end. It is likely it will be a pair of thirds. Grier and Miami have two fifth-rounders as well and a trio of sevenths.
A full look:
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3 (projected comp)
Round 3 (projected comp)
Round 4
Round 5
Round 5 (Denver via Chubb deal)
Round 7
Round 7 (Chicago via Claypool deal)
Round 7 (projected comp)
A player of Nelson’s attributes and ability, and the potential of a long-term stay, would easily warrant a second-round pick, plus a sweetener if needed. This is merely a mix of rumors and fantasy football general management, but why not? It is a bye week, right?
