Branden Albert trade rumors indicate Jaguars interested

A day after nearly releasing starting left tackle Branden Albert, the Miami Dolphins are still thought to be discussing a possible trade for the two-time Pro Bowler. On Thursday, there was no indication of which, or even how many, teams were interested in a possible move to grab Albert. Friday, it appears at least one team is now known.

According to a report from Miami Herald reporter Armando Salguero, along with other media members, the Jacksonville Jaguars are interested in acquiring Albert from the Dolphins. There is no indication of what compensation would be for Albert, nor any indication that Albert would be willing to play for the Jaguars. Miami is thought to want 2017 draft picks, though, as Salguero points out, an intriguing option for Jacksonville could be sending tight end Julius Thomas, who played for Miami head coach Adam Gase when the coach worked as the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos, to Miami.

Any trade agreed upon by the two teams - or any trade anywhere in the NFL - cannot become final until the start of the new league year on March 9. Both teams could continue to work on the deal until then, though it is likely Albert would prefer to be released prior to that date, if a trade is not going to happen, allowing him to become a free agent before the expiration of contracts from 2016 and the opening of the full free-agency period.