It’s been an incredibly busy cut down day. We’ve seen deals being done for the last 24 hours as teams look to solidify their 53-man rosters for the start of the season, but the deal just reported by Adam Schefter takes the cake. The Miami Dolphins are set to receive two first-round picks and a second-round pick from the Houston Texans in exchange for OT Laremy Tunsil.
So here’s the major components of the deal as of now, but it will be bigger….
Texans get: OT Laremy Tunsil
Dolphins get: two first-round picks and one second-round pick.
And there will be more involved.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2019
The news immediately sent shockwaves through the NFL. Miami was already believed to be tanking this season so the team could select a franchise quarterback in one of the next two drafts, and the Dolphins will certainly have plenty to offer other teams if they don’t end up with the No. 1 pick.
Even if the Dolphins don’t wind up with the No. 1 overall pick in 2020, they will have all the ammunition they need to go up and get it if they want it.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2019
This season could be a disaster for the Dolphins though. On Thursday, the Miami Herald reported that the team “would revolt” if Laremy Tunsil was traded away. The team is already projected to be the worst in the NFL by oddsmakers, and moving its star left tackle is only going to fuel the speculation that Miami is in full-blown tank mode.
The Houston Texans have been busier than any other team over the last 24 hours. Houston dealt standout defensive end Jadeveon Clowney to Seattle earlier today, and the Texans have since acquired running back Carlos Hyde from Kansas City and cornerback Keion Crossen from New England.
I know they paid a HUGE premium but the Texans have one of the best QB’s in the NFL and they had to do something to keep him from taking such a beating. Tunsil is a MASSIVE upgrade and he should provide blindside protection for a decade +.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) August 31, 2019
While the general consensus is that Houston gave up way too much in the trade, others have given the Texans credit for at least making an effort to protect Deshaun Watson. Watson has been sacked on over 10 percent of his drop backs since entering the league, and a franchise quarterback can’t take that kind of beating.
Re: Miami/Houston trade if Houston hasn’t reached an agreement on an extension with Laremy Tunsil as part of the trade, they have now given him historic leverage. They can’t give up 2 first round picks and a second round pick and let him leave!
— Mike Tannenbaum (@RealTannenbaum) August 31, 2019
You can criticize Houston for not having a contract extension in place with Laremy Tunsil before making the trade though. The Texans are now in a position where they must give Tunsil a lavish extension or else risk losing him in two seasons when he becomes a free agent. Reportedly, talks are underway, but there is nothing official yet.
H/T: Miami Herald
