Just hours ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline, the Miami Dolphins have sent third-year wide receiver Isaiah Ford to inner-division rival New England for a 2022 seventh-round pick.
The Dolphins, in somewhat of a surprise move, are likely making room for WR Antonio Callaway who is able to return from suspension this week.
Ford’s Limited Usage Was Diminishing in Last Three Weeks
Miami, who has used Ford in just 51-percent of the team’s snaps this season, acted as the team’s No. 3 wideout primarily out of the slot and behind No. 1 DeVante Parker and No. 2 Preston Williams. He was utilized more regularly in the first four games, seeing between 44 and 74 percent of the snaps, but saw his role decrease to between 32 and 36 percent in the last three. This came despite the Dolphins benching Williams last week against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half due to his dropped passes.
Ford was originally drafted by Miami in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL draft of Virginia Tech and played in 16 career games. Across that span he has accumulated 428 yards on 41 catches and has zero career touchdowns.
Patriots’ WR Corps: Bone Dry
New England desperately needs a WR after No. 1 wideout Julian Edelman has been sidelined following a knee injury, with a week 11 return possible at the earliest (injured reserve rules).
No. 2 WR N’Keal Harry is currently the Patriots’ top option, but he’s still in concussion protocol and missed the team’s week eight game against the Buffalo Bills.
He is followed on the depth chart by Damiere Byrd, Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olszewski if Harry cannot go on Monday Night Football against the New York Jets.
Additional Trade News
Minutes before the trade deadline, Miami also traded for Kansas City fifth-string running back DeAndre Washington.
The teams swapped late-round draft picks, the Dolphins sending a 2021 sixth-round pick while the Chiefs send Washington and a 2021 seventh.
Miami currently has six backs on its roster, including Washington, but could likely go down to four very soon with releasing veteran Jordan Howard and Salvon Ahmed, both who were acquired in the offseason.
After the Chiefs acquired RB Le’Veon Bell, Washington sat behind rookie starter Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Bell, Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson.
– Kayla Morton is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Miami Dolphins. Like and follow on Follow @northdakayla74 Follow @FPC_Dolphins and Facebook.