Miami Dolphins should keep selling at NFL trade deadline | Schad
Miami Dolphins interim general manager Champ Kelly is off to such a fast start I just may dub him "Trader" Champ Kelly.
You all remember "Trader" Jack McKeon ?
Of course Marlins fans do.
The Marlins often dump their good players before paying them because, well, they can't or won't pay them.
The Dolphins, undoubtedly under the direction of owner Stephen Ross , have installed Kelly in place of Chris Grier to execute a potential sell-off.
The NFL's trading deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m.
Before many folks booted up their laptops and finished their first cup of coffee on Monday, Nov. 3, “Trader” Champ had already swung a deal with the Eagles .
And it was for a solid third-round pick in return for Jaelan Phillips , the edge rusher who was playing on an expiring contract.
Ross and the Dolphins are looking to dump players, but not because they can't or won't pay them. They're looking to start a new cycle of a rebuild.
And to do that in the NFL, you need draft picks.
I've often found the returns at the NFL trade deadline to be a bit underwhelming, in comparison to say, Major League Baseball, where some pretty good prospects can be acquired for a pitcher or slugger you think can spur you to a World Series.
But "Trader" Champ has to do the best he can to move one or more of some or many of the players that have been reported as potentially available, including: Bradley Chubb , Matthew Judon , Jaylen Waddle , Minkah Fitzpatrick , Rasul Douglas and Jaylen Wright .
NFL trade deadline should mean active Miami Dolphins
If the Dolphins could now secure a second- or third-round pick for Chubb or Fitzpatrick, they'll have to consider it. We understand another lower pick may have to go back the other way, as well.
If the Dolphins could secure a first-round pick and perhaps a young player or an adventageous additional pick swap for Waddle, they'd have to consider it.
It's not that these aren't good players. And Miami should be in no rush to trade Waddle, De'Von Achane, Patrick Paul or Chop Robinson , in particular.
It's that Miami is about to start over to some extent - either down to the studs, circa 2018 - or at the least an extensive and laborious remodel.
And the next general manager will need as many picks as possible.
Champ Kelly tasked with exploring all Dolphins trade options
Former Miami general manager Chris Grier took an almost unprecedented arsenal of assets and added some decent players - but not enough to deliver even a single playoff win.
The Dolphins' focus from here on out, with a 2-7 record, should be to take a long look at their youngest and most cost-effective players.
The Dolphins very likely knew they wouldn’t be re-signing Phillips, so moving him now made sense.
They may very well have already made a similar conclusion on Chubb, even though defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver recently identified him as one of three heart and soul members of the defense, along with Zach Sieler and Jordyn Brooks .
These are good players. These are great people.
Super Bowl contending teams should value what they would add. And they should text "Trader" Champ their best offers soon.
If the Dolphins can flip Fitzpatrick for a second-round pick, they should consider it. It would be a decent return following the Jalen Ramsey-Jonnu Smith deal with Pittsburgh .
And, Minkah likely would appreciate joining a contender.
It's not in Champ's best interest to just trade as many players as he can, for well-below fair market value. He does, after all, have a personal reputation to uphold.
But make no mistake, it would be disappointing if "Trader" Champ didn't pull off at least one more deal before the deadline passes.
Schad Column: Tua Tagovailoa's future as Miami Dolphins QB on very shaky ground
NFL Trade Deadline: Should Dolphins sell, sell, sell?
Miami Dolphins midseason grades: Every position, coaching | Schad
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post . You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe . Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter . Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins mission at NFL trade deadline? Sell. Sell. Sell.
