The Kansas City Chiefs are one of the most improved teams in the NFL during the offseason so far based on the moves they have made, including the trade for quarterback Alex Smith as well as the signing of wide receiver Dwayne Bowe and tight end Anthony Fasano.
The Chiefs were tied for the worst record in the NFL at 2-14 and have the number one pick in the draft, but they could be ready to make another big move by trading franchised offensive tackle Branden Albert, a player they could not work out a long-term deal with.
According to Peter King at SI.com, the Chiefs will listen to offers about Albert while at the owners meetings this week and one option presented by ESPN.com includes the Miami Dolphins, who still have money to spend even after making a splash in free agency with Mike Wallace and Dannell Ellerbe. The Dolphins just lost left tackle Jake Long to the Rams after making a push to re-sign him and after adding all the firepower, they need someone to block for Ryan Tannehill.
According to ESPN, Albert lives in Miami during the offseason, which would make the deal easier, and on top of that, the Dolphins have two second round picks at No. 42 and No. 54, so they may be more inclined than other teams to pull the trigger. That in itself is one reason why the Chiefs could be interested, as that if they feel they can get a lineman of Albert's caliber in the draft like Luke Joeckel or Eric Fisher while also getting back one of the draft picks they had to give away for Alex Smith in the deal with the 49ers, that would sound good to them.
The Chiefs gave up the number 34 pick to the 49ers for Smith and the draft has a number of well-regarded players at the position, putting Kansas City in a place to deal. Adding even more to that, there are a number of free agent offensive linemen they could pick up to put alongside Joeckel or Eric Fisher depending who they draft, including Sebastian Vollmer, Bryant McKinnie and Andre Smith.
The Dolphins ranked 26th in passing yards allowed last season and could use some more size on the line after losing a stalwart like Long. The team ranked 17th in rushing yards per game and adding Albert could help stabilize the offense. The Chiefs ranked fifth in rushing last season and one of the biggest reasons was due to the play of Albert.
Miami finished the season by winning two of three and the team has been one of the most active in free agency despite losing Reggie Bush, Long and Kevin Burnett. The team also signed Phillip Wheeler and Jared Cook from the Titans.