Miami Dolphins: Is Moving Kenyan Drake the Smart Play for 2019?

As much as we love Kenyan Drake it’s time to face the facts. The Miami Dolphins are still missing a few pieces and need to fill holes in order to put a respectable team on the field. The offensive line lacks depth, their defense has some hiccups, and their offense lacks identity. It doesn’t even come down to the quarterback position, without the offensive line shored up, yet again the Dolphins will be in for a world of hurt. Unfortunately for Dolphins fans, Kenyan Drake is their best bargaining chip.

Sure they have plenty of trade chips in the form of draft picks next season, but the Dolphins need depth if they ever want to be consistently competitive. They haven’t had a team full of talent that can compete with the midseason injuries, while teams like the Patriots are competitive every season because of it.

Of course, fans will always point out how deep the WR unit is, how Preston Williams has stepped up, and how poorly Devante Parker has played in his time in Miami. Sure the Dolphins could trade Parker but his inability to establish himself as a true threat lowers his value to potential buyers and boosts his value to the Dolphins. Combine that with Parker’s injury concerns and unfortunately moving him just isn’t in the cards.

Then there’s Kenny Stills. His recent comments against owner Stephen Ross might have burned some bridges, but its not enough of a distraction for the team to cut ties. Stills has always produced and trading a player who’s been outspoken, after an owner has already shown his support of free speech and allowing players to kneel, just looks bad on ownership. As frustrating as it may be for all parties involved, its a paper cut in a room full of wounds.

The last loan bargaining chip is Kenyan Drake and potentially Reshad Jones. Jones has been rumored to have been on the block for some time. He comes with a sizable contract and has just enough left in the tank to make teams interested. The problem is, if the Miami Dolphins were interested in moving Jones, they would’ve already. So either they want to keep him, or teams just aren’t buying at his current price.

Insert Kenyan Drake.

Drake is still working on his rookie deal, he’ll be a free agent at the end of the season and has proven to be a threat in the backfield. While no one wants to see Drake’s productivity go, Miami has to fill a few remaining holes this season to make the best of their stockpiled picks next season. With Ezekiel Elliot holding out of Cowboys camp, getting a team like Dallas on the line could benefit both teams. The Cowboys can’t afford to pay Elliot, Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper so taking a gamble on Drake could fit their style. Even if they bring Zeke back in Drake has a team-friendly deal they could afford both. If they can’t work out a deal with Elliot then resigning Drake will cost far less.

The Miami Dolphins have an ace in the hole with Kallen Ballage showing he can carry the load early, and while everyone wants a two-headed monster out of the backfield. Between having a fullback in house to be a lead block and depth at the running back position the Dolphins can still have a successful run game this season. Moving Drake and potentially Jones for a solid lineman and some future picks could have the Dolphins in prime position to evaluate their entire roster this year. They’ll never get a true feel for their quarterback position behind shaky play. They’ll never know if their receivers are good in open space if the plays aren’t developing. Miami needs to fix their depth at o-line and as heartbreaking as losing Drake would be, it’s almost their only play.