The Miami Dolphins recently just received the terrible news that star left tackle Terron Armstead, who signed with the Dolphins in 2022, is deciding to hang it up and retire after 12 years in the NFL. The Dolphins already knew this was a possibility, but now that it is confirmed, they need to make sure they have a plan to find a new starting left tackle.
Left tackle is widely regarded as the most important position on the offensive line, and with the main free agency period over, the Dolphins will have to look towards the draft or trade market to find Armstead's replacement.
The Dolphins have made it clear that they want to compete this upcoming season, and with so many holes to fill, such as safety, defensive line, and other offensive line spots, they probably are going to want to use their first-round pick elsewhere.
Plus, if they want to compete and be able to win this year they probably do not want a rookie at one of the most important positions on the offensive line. This means the most likely place for Miami to find their left tackle replacement is the trade market.
One perfect candidate who is under contract through 2028 is Philadelphia Eagles' left tackle Jordan Mailata. The Eagles would normally never consider giving up a premiere left tackle, but with all of the departures they had in free agency, they may be open to giving up Mailata for draft choices or players that allow them to reboot the defense.
The trade would be Jordan Mailata and the 32nd pick in the first round, for Kader Kohou, Malik Washington, Patrick McMorris, the 13th overall pick, and the 48th pick in the draft. The trade gives the Eagles young players for depth, a starting nickel, a pick swap, and another second-round pick. The Dolphins get one of the best left tackles in football and they get to stay in the first round of this years draft.
The Eagles lost Darius Slay, James Bradberry, and Avonte Maddox, leaving just rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Super Bowl hero Cooper Dejean. They need a starting nickel corner, and they will be getting the young and talented Kader Kohou. They also traded safety CJ Gardener-Johnson, so they would be getting Patrick McMorris for some depth.
Philadelphia would be moving up from no. 32 to no. 13 in the first round and gain an extra second round pick. They could use these picks to replace Mailata, fill out the defensive line, and probably draft another DB or two.
The Dolphins on the other hand are getting one of the best left tackles in football, and they keep a pick in the first round. Their offensive line would have a major upgrade so they could use their first round pick on either a corner to replace Kohou, a safety they need desperately and some defensive line help. The Dolphins would still maintain ten draft picks and be able to replace who they lost and fill the holes they already had.
Mailata is five years into his NFL career and although not a Pro Bowler yet he has played at that level and at 28 years old there will probably be a few in the near future for him. Mailata was named to the All-Pro second team last year and only had two penalties last year.
Not only is Mailata skilled, talented, and a proven winner, but he has one of the best frames in football and will be a very good protector of the Dolphins' quarterbacks. This trade would allow Miami to have some help on the offensive line and replace newly lost left tackle Terron Armstead. With the draft coming up in just a few weeks, the Dolphins need to try to trade for a left tackle soon, and Mailata may just be their guy.
