NFL Trade: Jaguars Close to Sending TE Thomas to Dolphins for OT Albert

NFL trades are already in the works, and the Jaguars and Dolphins have made the first splash of the offseason

Last week the Dolphins began to clean house by releasing multiple veterans, including pass rusher Mario Williams. Originally it appeared offensive tackle Branden Albert would be released, saving the organization a large cap hit going into free agency.

All the sudden, the release of Albert was put on hold as trade rumors began to swirl furiously.

On the second Sunday of the year without football, the Dolphins made a splash with their Florida neighbors. Miami will send Albert to the Jacksonville Jaguars for tight end Julius Thomas, who recently signed a massive contract with Jacksonville in free agency.

Omar Kelly of the SunSentinel reports that the trade is in the final stages of being completed.

Thomas is entering the third year of a five-year contract signed prior to the 2015 season worth $46 million. Miami will owe him $8.3 million this year, and the cap hit will increase as his contract progresses.

Albert enters the second to last year of his contract and will carry a $10.6 million cap hit for Jacksonville.

Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles was sacked 34 times last year, which is a relatively mediocre amount compared to other offensive lines in the league. Jacksonville declined a four-year $40 million option on left tackle Kelvin Beachum, and former first round pick Luke Joekel will enter his first round of free agency this offseason.

Clearing Thomas from the roster allows Jacksonville to look at Miami tight end David Njoku in the second round of the upcoming draft.

Miami will now move first-round pick Laremy Tunsil to left tackle with Albert off the roster, and have Thomas replace free agent Jordan Cameron.

All-in-all the NFL trade block created a perfect outcome for both organizations as they prepare for free agency and the NFL Draft.