Remember that time the Miami Dolphins raked the Houston Texans over the coals in their trade negotiations for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil? Miami, who had no intent of trading Tunsil, eventually milked the Texans for so much NFL Draft capital that the team had to say yes to the deal — which featured Houston sending two 1st-round picks and a 2nd-round pick to Miami for Tunsil.
The Dolphins’ end of this story has just started — but Houston’s end of the spectrum is apparently progressing rapidly. How so?
The Washington Redskins have recently permitted OT Trent Williams to explore a trade this offseason and the Texans, of all teams, are among the teams to have called to check in on a potential trade.
Huh? First and foremost, the Texans are so tapped out of draft picks that it would be almost impossible for them to swing a deal for Williams without including prominent player assets as well. And if the Texans are calling about Williams, what does that say about Tunsil’s long-term viability with the team? He’s entering the final year of his rookie contract — and expects a big payday to follow. Odds are still in favor of Houston locking in Tunsil for a long-term contract — but the fact that they are inquiring about Trent Williams and adding more to their offensive line situation at all is hardly an endorsement for Houston’s handling of the Laremy Tunsil trade.
For once, it looks as though Miami may be walking out of a blockbuster deal as a clear and obvious winner — but they still need to do their part and make the most of their draft picks before we can set that into stone. For now? Keep an eye on Tunsil, if he’s too expensive for Houston in the long-term, we may see him on the move again as part of a player for player swap.
