As we wrote last week, the Dolphins appear to be in good positioning with their efforts to trade DE Robert Quinn. With both suitors, the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints, in “win now” mode, the Dolphins could see a bidding war unfold.
But what should the Dolphins be hoping to get in return for Quinn? Obviously some of that could come down to finances. What are the Dolphins willing to pay to help take some of the strain off Quinn’s new team?
But from a trade perspective, the Dolphins seem dialed in on 2020 draft selections. Their moves in free agency have been dictated by them. The trade of Ryan Tannehill was dictated by them. There’s no reason to believe the Dolphins’ target wouldn’t lie with a 2020 draft pick here, either.
Typically, when a team offers up an asset up front with a year before the payout, they can draw a little more in figurative “interest”. And with a bidding war over a potential impact pass rusher hanging in the balance? This could get really interesting.
Miami’s realistic expectation for a return should be a 2020 4th round pick. There have been some murmurs suggesting that is the baseline of a deal, but nothing concrete. It would be an expected return, given Quinn’s current level of play.
But if the bidding heats up, the hopes should fall in a round sooner: a 2020 third. You see, both Dallas and New Orleans figure to be in the playoffs next season, so a 4th round pick isn’t going to net you a top-100 selection.
A 3rd could park the Dolphins in the mid-80s to early 90s and provide them with a valuable trade chip, should they want to be aggressive for oh, say, a quarterback at the top of the draft.
We will know soon enough.
