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It was no surprise that the Miami Dolphins were going to trade the third-overall pick in the 2021 draft. The surprise, though, is that the trade went down before the calendar turned to April.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the Dolphins are trading the third-overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers for the No. 12 pick in this years draft, a 2022 third-round pick and first-round picks in 2022 and 2023.
Filed to ESPN: Dolphins trading No. 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers for the No. 12 pick, a 2021 third-round pick (SF’s comp pick for Robert Saleh hiring) and first-round picks in 2022 and 2023, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 26, 2021
Blockbuster deal with massive ramifications for years to come.
UPDATE FROM BARRY JACKSON OF THE MIAMI HERALD:
Source confirms Dolphins trade, but there's one change to the original ESPN report. The third round pick the Dolphins are getting is in 2022, not 2021. Dolphins get 12th pick this year and first rounders in 2022 and 2023 in exchange for 3rd overall pick.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) March 26, 2021
The blockbuster deal comes far ahead of schedule as the NFL draft is still more than a month away.
Miami’s general manager, Chris Grier, continues to wheel-and-deal as this is the second time the team has acquired at least two first-round picks under his lead.
The first trade, which involved Laremy Tunsil, is the gift that keeps on giving. The No. 3 pick, along with a 2020 first-rounder, was acquired by the Dolphins in exchange for Tunsil. In total, the Dolphins have gained a net of four first-round picks for the left tackle.
San Francisco will likely use the pick to select a quarterback, but the team is holding on to Jimmy Garoppolo, according to Schefter.
49ers now square in the QB mix, but are holding on to Jimmy Garoppolo and have no plans to trade him, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 26, 2021
For the Dolphins, they’ve been linked to the top receivers in the draft and will likely try to bolster the unit even after signing Will Fuller to a one-year deal.
Keep in mind, the Miami Dolphins also have the No. 18 pick, along with two second round picks in this year’s draft.
What was expected to be a big draft for the Dolphins just got a bit bigger for Grier and coach Brian Flores.