The Miami Dolphins have traded pass rusher Chris McCain to the New Orleans Saints for a conditional seventh-round pick.
No deal has been finalized yet because McCain must pass a physical to consummate the trade. At this point it is unclear if the Saints are the only team bidding for McCain, who will be best utilized moving forward, either as a 4-3 defensive end and 3-4 outside linebacker.
McCain, a former University of California standout the Dolphins signed as an undrafted rookie in 2014, has struggled to earn playing time during his tenure in Miami for various reasons.
McCain, who has contributed seven tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a punt block during the 18 games he's played the past two seasons, has bounced back and forth from defensive end to linebacker throughout his NFL career.
This season he's been playing defensive end for his third defensive coordinator. However, McCain's struggles learning Miami's defense have often stood in his way of being on team's active game day roster.
McCain had three tackles, a sack and forced a fumble in Miami's 27-10 preseason win over the New York Giants in the Dolphins' exhibition opener, but he's played sparingly the past two preseason games because of a shoulder injury.
The Dolphins have a surplus of defensive ends in Cameron Wake, Mario Williams, Jason Jones and Andrew Branch, who are all expected to make it onto the 53-man regular-season roster. Terrence Fede, a 2014 seventh-round pick, and McCain were both on the roster bubble.
Dion Jordan, who remains on the Dolphins' active/non-football injury list while he rehabs his surgically repaired knee, doesn't count against the 53-man roster until the Dolphins move him off the list.
The Dolphins typically keep 8-10 defensive linemen on the 53-man roster, but at least four of those spots are dedicated to defensive tackles.
