Dolphins to trade for 2024 3rd-round bust before Patriots release lineman image
The Miami Dolphins are a roster constructed with a lot of budget constraints after cutting ties with a lot of veteran players, making a lot of money.
It's a major overhaul for the Dolphins, as the 2026 season is the first year of a rebuild. As part of this rebuild, taking chances on struggling former top prospects is a worthwhile endeavor. And they've reportedly done just that.
After reports earlier in the day that the New England Patriots were releasing a 2024 third-round OL bust, the Dolphins, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN, have swooped in and made a trade with the Patriots, swapping late-round picks for the veteran OL.
Dolphins to trade with Patriots for 2024 third-round OL bust
"Trade! The Patriots announce that G Caedan Wallace has been traded to the Dolphins along with a 2029 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2028 sixth-round pick," Reiss reports.
This is an interesting trade for the Dolphins to make, as they're exchanging late-round picks well over a year away, and also taking a flyer on a former highly-drafted offensive lineman.
Wallace, the 26-year-old former Penn State lineman, was drafted in the third-round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Patriots with the 68th overall pick.
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He started just a couple of games with the Patriots over the last two years, and didn't really have a spot on the depth chart secured.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Patriots were planning to release Wallace in the morning, but a few hours later, the trade between the Dolphins and Patriots was agreed to.
Miami is jumping in front of the line to acquire Wallace, stopping other teams from having a chance to pick him up after his release.
This is a low-risk addition for the Dolphins, and at-worst, Wallace should be a nice depth lineman for the team heading into a 2026 season with plenty of question marks all around the roster.
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