DAVIE, Fla. — One of the most attention-getting events of the Miami Dolphins’ draft was the trade that landed them running back Matt Breida from San Francisco. While most were expecting Miami to draft a young prospect like Georgia’s D’Andre Swift or Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins, general manager Chris Grier and coach Brian Flores, according to reports, were inquiring about trading for veterans Todd Gurley of the Rams and Jacksonville’s Leonard Fournette.
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That’s high-level sneaky stuff.
All in all, trades were a big part of this week’s draft for the Dolphins. Miami made five deals during the three-day draft. Here’s a quick look at each:
— Miami trades a 2020 first-round pick (26th overall) to Green Bay for a 2020 first-round pick (30th overall) and 2020 fourth-round pick (136th overall).
Comment: The Dolphins traded back in the first round and ended up selecting Auburn cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, who figures to start at nickel/slot alongside boundary cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Byron Jones. They also picked up a fourth-round pick that they used to help select Georgia guard Solomon Kindley. It should be noted that Green Bay used the 26th pick to select quarterback Jordan Love (Utah State). Overall it was a good deal for Miami.
— Miami trades two 2020 fourth-round picks (136th and 141st overall) to Houston for a 2020 fourth-round pick (111th overall).
Comment: The Dolphins selected Kindley to create competition at guard, which is now a crowded position. Kindley (6-3, 337), who was a lifeguard as a youngster, can play right or left guard and figures to be in the mix for a starting job. If not, this wasn’t a worthwhile trade.
— Miami trades a 2020 fifth-round pick (153rd overall) to San Francisco for RB Matt Breida.
Comment: Regardless of how this turns out, it was a good deal and worth the try. Breida is a veteran who had trouble staying on the field last season because of the play of fellow backs Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman. Still, Breida, 25, rushed for 623 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and a touchdown and should boost Miami’s offense. Good deal.
— Miami trades a 2020 fifth-round pick (173rd overall) and a 2020 seventh-round pick (227th overall) to Philadelphia for a 2020 fifth-round pick (164th overall).
Comment: The Dolphins used this pick to select edge rusher Curtis Weaver (Boise State), and that could be a huge move. Weaver is the Mountain West Conference career sacks leader with 34. He was expected to be drafted in the top three rounds but fell to the fifth. But the guy can rush the passer. He’s worth the gamble.
— Miami trades a 2020 seventh-round pick (251st overall) to Seattle for a 2021 sixth-round pick.
Comment: The Dolphins improved their standing, moving from the seventh round to the sixth round, so that’s a good thing.
(Photo of Matt Breida: Sean Gardner / Getty Images)