All In

By : Mike Rifkin

Tuesday was the NFL Trade Deadline, and it was the most active trade deadline in history. One team pushed all of their chips to the middle of the table. The Miami Dolphins have gone all in and made the biggest splash at the deadline. 

The Dolphins acquired pass rusher Bradley Chubb along with a 2025 fifth round pick from the Denver Broncos in exchange for a 2023 first round pick, 2024 fourth round pick and Running Back Chase Edmonds. Last season the Dolphins defense was fifth in the NFL in sacks with 48.0, so far this season they have 15.0. Chubb has the third highest win rate for pass rushers only trailing Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons. Chubb, the fifth overall pick in 2018 has 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in eight games so far this season. Chubb’s presence should help Jaelan Phillips, Emmanuel Ogbah and company apply more pressure to quarterbacks. Earlier today General Manager Chris Grier said “We anticipate having something finished up here shortly.” Talking about signing Chubb to a long term deal. 

But a team doesn’t make a move like this unless they believe in their group. The Dolphins currently sit with a record of 5-3 and in the thick of the AFC playoff picture. The Dolphins are undefeated in games started and finished by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who currently leads the NFL in Passer Rating. The Dolphins used this offseason and put all the pressure on Tua, they got him an Offensive Coach in Mike McDaniel. Terron Armstead and Connor Williams on the offensive line, Running Back Raheem Mostert, who played for McDaniel in San Francisco came over to help the running game,  they used draft capital that they had an abundance of and traded for Tyreek Hill, who leads the NFL in receiving yards. 

The Dolphins acquired three first round picks from the San Francisco  49ers 19 months ago. In the trade the 49ers wound up drafting Quarterback Trey Lance, while the Dolphins used one first on receiver Jaylen Waddle, and traded the other two. They acquired Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb in separate deals. This season you are starting to see the benefit of believing in your young quarterback. The Dolphins on the season have an impressive comeback road win at Baltimore and they beat the Bills at home. I’m not saying the Dolphins are going to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, but you have to put respect on their name not just for 2022 but going forward as well.