The Miami Dolphins have denied that they are trading wideout Mike Wallace to teams like the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers or Oakland Raiders, but based on their draft targets and prospect visits with names like Marqise Lee, Brandin Cooks, Kelvin Benjamin and Odell Beckham, general manager Dennis Hickey could be looking to make a deal before selecting one of those receivers with the Fins first or second round picks.
Many have speculated that the Dolphins will look to the running back position in the draft and while they may still do that, it appears that wide receiver is the primary target a couple weeks ahead of the draft, as they are bringing in a number of names to visit from that position. According to ESPN.com, Marqise Lee has visited with the team, while Pro Football Talk reports that Hickey is looking at Cooks, Beckham and Benjamin along with names like Mississippi's Donte Moncrief and Clemson's Martavis Bryant, who are considered second round picks.
The Dolphins were rumored to be looking at a trade for Wallace this offseason, as he did not play up to expectations after signing a $50 million deal last offseason and another reason he could be on the move is the fact that Jeff Ireland was the one to sign him and not Hickey. The team has a solid group of wideouts with Wallace, Brian Hartline, Brandon Gibson, Rishard Matthews as well as Armon Binns, but if Hickey wants to trade Wallace, he could look to add more depth behind those names with a rookie and if he doesn't pull off a deal now, the Miami Herald writes that it could be in the mix for the 2015 season, especially if they take a wideout in the first round.
The Dolphins have the number 19 pick in the draft and that should put them in the mix for those wideouts, but it is likely too far for names like Mike Evans or Sammy Watkins. Lee had a very solid season last year with the Trojans despite not having great QB play and he was a Heisman finalist the season before and he is being looked at as a mid-first round pick. Beckham went for 59 receptions for 1152 yards and eight touchdowns and he could be in the mix as well. Benjamin is a Florida dude from FSU and he had double digit touchdowns last season and could be a great red zone target, while Cooks has breakaway speed and ability and could be a perfect replacement for Wallace if he is dealt.
Cooks was wildly productive last season and had over 120 catches and 16 touchdowns and he has blazing speed and could be a nice addition for Ryan Tannehill. The team gave up 58 sacks last season and they have improved the offensive line and could go after running backs as well after ranking 26th in the league and names like Carlos Hyde and Tre Mason could be options. Hyde rushed for 1,521 yards last season with 15 scores, while Mason had over 1,800 yards with 23 touchdowns and both could be in the mix in the second round.
