Trade Winds Blowing in Miami

Trade Winds Blowing in Miami

Tuesday, November 10. D-Day for teams in contention looking to add a piece of the puzzle that could push them over the top.

Last year, the 5–3 Seahawks sent New Orleans fourth- and fifth-round picks for receiver/return man Rashid Shaheed. In Week 14 against the Falcons, he returned the second-half kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, then, two weeks later, took back a punt 58 yards for a score against the Rams to spark a 38–37 comeback win. He then returned the opening kick for a touchdown in the Divisional Round against the 49ers in a 41–6 blowout victory, cementing his place in Seahawks legend and underlining what a wise investment that deal was.

Twelve months on, plenty of teams with playoff aspirations are looking for similar impact performers. Or general managers with job-security issues, trying to deal a pick or two for a guy who could change the fortunes of a season, knowing that if it fails and they’re subsequently sacked, those picks they gave up aren’t going to hurt them because they won’t be around anyway.

To that end, the 0–5 Dolphins are in a prime spot for teams searching for a missing piece. And although the biggest veteran names are protected, a handful of players are still worth watching. With the deadline three weeks away, here are five players GMs could try to pry away in the final hours of the window.

Jaylen Wright — Running Back

Wright is a player who’s long intrigued me. My No. 2-ranked running back in the 2024 Draft, he flashed dynamic long speed at Tennessee—averaging 6.7 yards per carry in the SEC over his final two seasons—and a home-run hitter’s mentality on lightly used wheels. A strong, balanced runner who was a state champion in the 55 meters in high school, he ran a 10.85-second 100m and was clocked at 23.6 mph on GPS in practice for the Vols. He also led the conference in missed tackles in 2023. But he’s struggled to find his footing this season, and, having lost the No. 2 running back spot to Ollie Gordon, he’s carried just 14 times (for 28 yards at just 2 yards per carry).

I was told over the summer that Wright had a bit of a mindset change, moving away from the low-key melancholia that seemed to define him early on. But that, as yet, hasn’t translated into positives on the field, beyond a long kick return in the opener. In the summer, Jeff Hafley was full of praise for him, saying: “He’s fast, explosive. When he hits it and gets vertical, he can really go. I think he’s a good scheme fit. I love the way he practices. I love the way he finishes. And he’s compact. He’s strong. He’s a harder guy to tackle.” Unfortunately we’re yet to see it.

As running backs go down around the league, he may intrigue someone looking for a backup who can take some carries away from a starter as we approach midseason and the stretch run.

Malik Washington — Wide Receiver

There are enough situations at the receiver position around the league to think that Miami might at least field some calls on the former Virginia standout, who can operate as a slot receiver, a running back and a returner. Take the San Francisco 49ers, who are missing Brandon Aiyuk, Christian Kirk, Ricky Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson and rookie De’Zhaun Stribling, the latter four all on IR. Then Mike Evans left the game before halftime last night with a recurrence of his Achilles issue. Although the tendon remained “intact,” the 49ers were bracing for him to miss at least next week’s game in Atlanta and potentially longer. On top of all that, Deebo Samuel’s hamstring injury means he’s unlikely to be back until after the Week 8 bye, leaving the 49ers with just Brandin Cooks, Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing at receiver.

Washington, who’s closing in on 100 career catches, is averaging 11.4 yards per reception this season and, unfortunately, has become the primary target for Malik Willis. Which sounds like a slight, but isn’t. That said, there’s no scenario where he should be anything more than a No. 3 receiver at best. Expect a call or two asking about his future.

Austin Jackson — Right Tackle

For my money, Jackson is the most likely Dolphin to depart. Part of that woeful 2020 Draft class, he’s playing his final season in Miami anyway. I see no reason he’ll be around in 2027, given his level of play, and it may be in the Dolphins’ best interest to move on and get what they can while they can. Sure, his play has been mediocre at best, especially in pass protection—19 pressures allowed and three sacks given up—but this is the National Football League, where substandard offensive line play can get you by. And for teams that get deep into the season and are looking to make a run, having a veteran with 65 starts under his belt to call on from the bench is a positive. He’s got an extremely workable contract and would be a low-end rental for a team desperate for line help.

For Miami’s consideration is the $4.5 million dead-cap charge on any trade, which would hit the 2026 cap, coupled with a manageable $14 million hit in 2027.

Zach Sieler — Defensive Tackle

Yesterday, the Dolphins put Sieler forward to speak to the media and asked about his future and the possibility of being traded. “No, I haven’t (heard anything about a trade),” he said. “I know people say rumors or talk or whatever at this time of year, but I’m playing games and focused on winning games as a Dolphin, man. I love it here. I wanna win here as a Dolphin.”

Of course, there is a sense he would say that, wouldn’t he? It would be extremely un-Sieler-like if he came out and said anything different. But there is no guaranteed money remaining on his contract after the 2026 season, which makes him all the more enticing. However, for Miami, it’s worth noting there would be a $34 million dead-cap charge: $10 million this year and $24 million in 2027 if he’s dealt. That would likely rule him out of any trade, given that the Dolphins could choose to move on from him in the offseason. After a slow start this season, his play has picked up over the last two weeks, and you could argue that, unless the offer is for a fifth-rounder or better—which it almost certainly wouldn’t be—there seems little appetite to move him on.

Josh Uche — Edge

Frankly, I think Uche, along with CB JuJu Brents, has been really solid this season and could be in line for a longer-term deal with the team at the end of the year. At just 28, he’s been a great situational speed-rush specialist, and he feels like someone you could slot into a rotation over the next couple of seasons alongside a free agent and another young pass rusher acquired through the draft. Edge guys who can play on all three downs are a valuable commodity in this league, and the former Michigan star fits Hafley’s scheme well. The issue Miami might face is that trading him would leave a dead cap charge of just $600,000, which is obviously not a problem. That makes him probably the guy you’d least like to lose, but the one who is easiest to deal.

Whatever happens between now and the deadline, any trades that happen will be for late-round picks only. Nobody is giving up day two picks for anyone — I think it’s almost impossible to see Jordyn Brooks dealt at this stage. Trades here are about setting the bar for years to come, accountancy, giving yourself the chance to see younger players play, and getting extra picks to play with come April.