BY SEAN DONOVAN
In addition to being active players in the free agent tackle market, the Miami Dolphins were believed to be discussing a possible trade for Kansas City Chiefs lineman Branden Albert.
But it appears that those talks have drawn to a close without a deal between the two teams. (photo: Matt Britt, Flickr)
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs and Dolphins were never able to agree to compensation for the five-year veteran. A deal was reportedly "close" before and during the NFL Draft, but the report now describes the potential trade as "dead."
Miami has made an effort this offseason to revamp an offensive line that struggled at times in 2012 by signing former Chicago Bears guard Lance Louis and drafting lineman Dallas Thomas in the third round of the draft. Tackle is a specific area of need, with the departure of Jake Long to free agency and only second-year player Jonathan Martin expected to be a starting-caliber option at either side of the offensive line.
According to the report, Miami was only willing to offer a third-round draft pick for Albert, less than Kansas City was willing to accept.
Instead, Miami is expected to sign one or even two of the crop of free agents that they have brought in for workouts in recent weeks, a group that includes Eric Winston, Bryant McKinnie, Winston Justice and Tyson Clabo, according to the Miami Herald's Armando Salguero.
Who the Dolphins will end up with is not clear at this point, but what is clear is that the team understands that protecting the young quarterback is a priority. That, and making sure he has enough time to throw the ball to the expensive new receiving options he has.
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