Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars could be set for swap trade deal

After a few days of speculation over the weekend, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the deal as separate swaps of late round picks for Thomas and Albert respectively. Thomas’s best stint has been when he was working under Gase when he was the OC in Denver. Since being drafted in 2011 Thomas has played in 53 games and missed 43.

The players would need to pass physicals and might need to restructure their contracts before any trade could be finalized, which couldn’t happen anyway until the NFL league year opens March 9.

But the 28-year-old tight end saw his production take a dramatic hit in his two seasons in Jacksonville. If Blake Bortles is going to have a bounce-back campaign after a miserable 2016 season, then he needs to be protected. Tight end Ben Koyack could be asked to build on a solid rookie campaign for the Jaguars as Thomas’ replacement.

Albert is due to make $8.875 million and $9.575 million in base salaries the final two years of his contract. Over those two seasons, Thomas recorded 108 catches for 1,277 yards and 24 touchdowns.

However this works out on paper, it appears both the Jaguars and Dolphins can coming away with a win here. He’s not going to suddenly turn into the monster he was in Denver with Gase.

Being that the biggest concern with Thomas is health, an incentive laden contract is ideal for the Dolphins.

The adjustment period for Thomas now that he is in Miami could be easier since he is familiar with Adam Gase.

After a three-ring circus of National Football League rumors, the deal for Brandon Albert, left tackle for the Miami Dolphins, looks to close today.

Moving Albert will give the Dolphins $7.2 million in additional salary cap space. Sims told me last month that he’s proven that he’s a starting tight end and that would be an important factor in his free-agent decision.