Branden Albert rumors: Dolphins set to trade tackle to Jaguars for Julius Thomas
By Matt Conner
Branden Albert, longtime member of the Kansas City Chiefs, will play for his third team in 2017 after the Miami Dolphins traded the offensive tackle to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Branden Albert will change his address once again this offseason but he’ll remain in the state of Florida after the Miami Dolphins agreed to trade the veteran offensive tackle to the Jacksonville Jaguars for veteran tight end Julius Thomas.
Albert, who made his pro debut with the Kansas City Chiefs after being selected in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, will be playing for his third pro team after a three-year stint with the Dolphins. Albert signed a five-year contract in 2014 after starting for the Chiefs for the first six years of his pro career.
The availability of Albert went from rumors of his release to trade rumors when it was clear that an unnamed team didn’t want to face other suitors on the open market. The Dolphins made the release of other veterans like Mario Williams official on Tuesday, but kept Albert on the roster in the hopes of receiving something in return.
Albert should be expected to slide right in to Kelvin Beachum’s spot at left tackle after the Jags failed to pick up his option. Beachum was a one-year stop-gap at the position after being signed as a free agent from the Steelers just last offseason. Luke Joeckel’s failure to cement himself at the left tackle position has left the Jags reaching for veteran options to protect Blake Bortles, and now their hopes clearly rest on Albert’s availability.
Jaguars fans should expect further draft investment along the line as no one should expect Albert to play an entire season. Albert hasn’t started all 16 games in a season since 2011 and averaged slightly under 12 games per year with the Dolphins. At the age of 32, Albert is exactly the sort of player who can hold down the position while a younger player matures and grows into an eventual starting role.