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Update: They're still working on it
Dolphins-Jags have discussed Branden Albert-Julius Thomas trade, could happen, but as one source said this am, "We still have a ways to go."
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 20, 2017
End update
The Jacksonville Jaguars are finalizing a trade for left tackle Branden Albert, sending tight end Julius Thomas to the Miami Dolphins, according to the Sun Sentinel.
Dolphins working to finalize trade sending Branden Albert to Jaguars for Julius Thomas https://t.co/VivqA6ijvF
— SunSentinel Dolphins (@SSMiamiDolphins) February 19, 2017
It was originally reported by @UncleChaps of Barstool Sports on Thursday that the Dolphins would be releasing the former Pro Bowl left tackle as a cap measure, but it seems that once teams were alerted he'd be released, they began calling about a trade. While the news came out Albert would be released, until it's filed to the league office it's not official.
The Dolphins had Laremy Tunsil waiting in the wings to take over at the left tackle position, so Albert and his cap figure became expendable. Albert had spent three seasons with the Dolphins as was a Pro Bowler in the 2015 season, though his play dipped in 2016 after playing through injuries, most expected Albert to stick with the Dolphins at least another season.
Thomas has been everything you fear a high-priced free agent will be: lazy, ineffective, and injury-prone. Newly hired Tom Coughlin could have been looking for a sacrificial lamb to make a point about his culture and his way of doing things and Thomas was on a short list of guys who would be perfect to complete the task.
If the trade goes through, Albert will now officially join the Jaguars on March 9, when the new league year starts. It fills what is a big hole for the Jaguars since they decided not to pick up the option for Kelvin Beachum, which until this news seemed to be a very bizarre move.
We'll update this story as more information becomes available.