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Dolphins (wisely) pursuing Albert

The Dolphins made a splash (sorry) this offseason by signing receivers Mike Wallace and Dustin Keller, while also retaining Brian Hartline. They lost left tackle Jake Long to the Rams, however, and that's a loss that threatens to negate any offensive gains. Tough to connect on a deep ball to Wallace when Ryan Tannehill is lying on his back.

The word is that Miami is trying to acquire tackle Brandon Albert from Kansas City, though, and it's a move that makes a lot of sense for both teams. Kansas City, drafting No. 1 overall, can take the top college tackle, and use the pick or picks they get from dealing Albert to address other needs.

Miami, meanwhile, is currently slated to go with Jonathan Martin replacing Long. Martin was fine at right tackle but struggled when filling in for Long late last season. Putting him on Tannehill's blind side could be a disaster for the Miami offense, and welcome news for the quality pass rushes on the schedule (of which there are plenty).

Albert isn't as good as Long, but the way the draft's top tackles are projected to fly off the board next week, Miami might not get one of them at No. 12. Trading one of their two second-round picks for Albert seems like a good answer for both teams.

Here are Miami's second-round picks since GM Jeff Ireland has overseen the draft, by the way. It's not a pretty picture; by far the best of those selections, Smith, now plays for Kansas City. Only Misi and Martin are currently starters.

2012: Jonathan Martin
2011: Daniel Thomas
2010: Koa Misi
2009: Pat White, Sean Smith
2008: Philip Merling, Chad Henne.

--Andy Richardson

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