New Dolphin - Brandon Marshall, WR

I knew a Brandon Marshall trade was imminent once he signed his RFA tender, and I knew if it came down to Miami vs Seattle, that Miami would win out, but I was still a bit shocked when I heard the news.

The Dolphins have traded their 2010 and 2011 2nd round draft picks for the services of the star Broncos wide receiver.

The truth is, this trade just about screwed up all the mock drafts out there, and also proves once and for all that the Trifecta a) never believed they had that #1 WR on the roster or that they didn't need to get one, b) weren't going to go between the Dansby signing and the Draft without another big move, and c) can never, ever, ever again say with a straight face that their number one concern is bringing in high character guys.

They've brought in some misfits in their time, but this move proves that in the end, talent wins out over good character, and on the field at least we should have a much improved team already with a now experienced rocket arm QB, a true #1 WR, a healthy and experienced o-line, a much improved interior linebacking group, and any secondary that doesn't include Gibril Wilson.  The Dolphins would do very well to wait out an extension on Marshall's contract to see if a new mature Marshall shows up or the same old locker room diva.  At least 'popcorn muscles' won't be in the locker room with him.

There is one thing this trade brings into focus.  It implies that the Dolphins are going to try to recover a 2nd or early 3rd round pick to sort of make-up for the one they lost.  It implies that WR is out of the running for the 1st and 3rd round picks they currently have.  It implies that OL, FS, DT, and LB are the only likely choices with those picks.  I'd go a little further than even that to suggest that the Dolphins will now most likely go with FS at the top of the draft.  I still think Brandon Graham is the safer choice, but someone like Eric Berry or Earl Thomas are rated higher as far as BPA goes.

I also think the Dolphins should hang on to Ted Ginn Jr now.  A combination of Marshall, Hartline, Bess and Ginn is the complete game-day foursome that covers any play-calling options you need.  Ginn could go back to returning kicks and punts full-time (he's more likely to score TDs that way anyway).

UPDATE:  Per Adam Shefter, "Brandon Marshall reaches agreement with Dolphins on four-year, $47.5 million extension, including $24 million guaranteed."  Personally I think that's a bad move by the Dolphins.  They should've either waited to see what version of Marshall shows up to camp or cut the guaranteed money.  This 5 year/$50M or $10M per year deal is insane.  How did the bank ok this?  Was it Washington Mutual?