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Could the Jaguars be targeting Branden Albert?

The Miami Dolphins left tackle is apparently gaining interest for a trade. Are the Jaguars interested?

NFL: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

In declining to pick up Kelvin Beachum’s four year, $40 million option yesterday, the Jacksonville Jaguars created a hole in their roster at left tackle that left the fan-base confused as to who will be protecting quarterback Blake Bortles’ blind-side next year and in the future.

A day later, however, the Miami Dolphins were apparently ready to release former Pro-Bowl left tackle Branden Albert, until this report broke:

According to the report, “there is sudden and significant interest from at least one and perhaps other teams in acquiring Albert”.

And so the Dolphins will keep Albert for now, waiting to see whether a trade can be worked out. By rule, no trades can happen until the new league year commences at 4:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 9.

So, considering the Jaguars have a massive hole at left tackle at the moment, could the Jaguars be the team ringing the Dolphins’ phone?

Personally, I’d hope not. Although Albert, 32, has always been considered a top left tackle, I’m not sure the move makes sense. Albert is due to make $8.875 million next year, which is actually more than what Kelvin Beachum, 27, was expected to make in 2017 ($8.5 million). Albert also has a consistent injury history, as he hasn’t played a full season since 2011.

Albeit, Albert is a dominant left tackle when he’s on the field, but with his injury history and a larger paycheck than Beachum’s, as well as being five years older than Beachum, I think keeping Beachum, whether it would have been on his option or on a new deal, would be smarter than trading draft capital and/or a player for Albert.

What are your thoughts? Should the Jaguars trade for Branden Albert?