Dolphins make trade for Rams DE Robert Quinn

The Dolphins made a trade Friday involving a prominent player. However, it’s not Jarvis Landry.

Instead, the Phins made a move with the busy L.A. Rams acquiring defensive end Robert Quinn from Los Angeles.

Here are the details from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who had it first:

Compensation update: Dolphins are sending a mid-round pick to the Rams in exchange for DE Robert Quinn, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 2, 2018

Quinn will turn 28 in May and had 8.5 sacks a year ago under new first defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, as the Rams won the NFC West in 2017. The Rams acquired DB Marcus Peters earlier in the week from the Chiefs for draft picks.

He is also signed for two more seasons, at $11 million per year. The Dolphins will likely try to get him to renegotiate that deal and lower his cap number for this year. Going into today, Miami was believed to be around $5 million over the 2017 cap, and there will have to be moves made as the league year begins to help their financial situation.

Here’s a peek into what’s on the books just on the defensive side of the ball:

#Dolphins Defense cost on the salary cap is impressive this year

Suh- $26.1M
Jones- $11.6M
Quinn- $11.4M
Branch- $10M
Alonso- $8.6M
Wake- $8.6M
Timmons- $8.2M
McDonald- $2.5M

— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) March 2, 2018

The top priority is to work on lowering Suh’s cap number from that bloated $26.1 million. This can be done by giving him a new contract, and spreading out the bonus money over multiple years.  We’ll see if the Dolphins get that done, and soon.

As for Landry, he’s been given permission to seek a trade partner, who might give him a long term deal. The Fins appear to be unwilling to do that. However, Landry can sign his franchise tag and get $16 million, which obviously further complicates the cap.