Phins trade Shaq Lawson for LB Benardrick McKinney

https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/miami-dolphins-make-trade-with-houston-texans

The Dolphins will be sending defensive end/linebacker Shaq Lawson to the Texans for inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney in a trade also involving a swap of draft picks. The Dolphins will be getting a 2021 seventh-round pick and sending Houston a sixth-round selection, per Texans Daily.

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McKinney is a six-year veteran who made the Pro Bowl in 2018 but is coming off a season where he was limited to four games because of a shoulder injury. He is signed through 2023 after agreeing to a five-year contract extension in 2018.

McKinney has a $7.9 million cap hit for 2021, while Lawson's cap hit was scheduled to be $9.8 million, though the Dolphins will be on the hook for the remainder of the $4 million signing bonus he got last offseason.

And once again the Dolphins fleece the Texans! Excellent, excellent trade for the Phins. The Dolphins FINALLY have a legit inside LB. Lawson was OK...disappeared for long stretches but made some plays. As long as McKinney is healthy, this is an absolute steal! Very excited about this move.

Some people had McKinney as a late 1st rounder.

Umix10 wrote:Some people had McKinney as a late 1st rounder.

I liked him a lot in the draft that year.

Supposedly the Phins tried really hard to get McKinney in the Tunsil trade.

JMP wrote:As long as McKinney is healthy, this is an absolute steal!

hopefully they will sign or draft his backup too because he only played in 4 games last year and 12 in 2019. health-wise, that is not trending in the right direction. he was very good a long 3 years ago making the pro-bowl. if the Phins were going to end up releasing Lawson (as they did with Van Noy) then at least getting something for him is ok, but if McKinney can't stay on the field, despite his talent, then this trade is valueless. perhaps its worth giving him a chance, but i don't believe this completely addresses the position.

mercury22nathan wrote:

JMP wrote:As long as McKinney is healthy, this is an absolute steal!

hopefully they will sign or draft his backup too because he only played in 4 games last year and 12 in 2019.  health-wise, that is not trending in the right direction.  he was very good a long 3 years ago making the pro-bowl.  if the Phins were going to end up releasing Lawson (as they did with Van Noy) then at least getting something for him is ok, but if McKinney can't stay on the field, despite his talent, then this trade is valueless.  perhaps its worth giving him a chance, but i don't believe this completely addresses the position.  

FYI - McKinney played and started 14 games in 2019, not 12.

McKinney had a shoulder injury early this past season that landed him on IR, and is supposedly fine now. It's not like he's had chronic knee or back problems, which would of course cause more concern. Injuries are a part of the game and can happen to any player at any time, but there is nothing to indicate that McKinney is injury prone or has any chronic issues.

McKinney is considered to be a very intelligent, instinctual player. He will be the QB of the defense, calling plays and serving as a leader. Excellent tackler and hits like a truck - best tackler we've had inside since Zach. His presence in the middle should also allow Baker to rush the passer more.

I think this is a big-time move, one that will bring us closer to having an elite defense. Add a pass rusher and this D is going to be scary.

Love this Trade , Get a Huge Fast Inside Backer for an Occasional Pass Rusher, They Should File Cruelty Charges against Grier for what he Keeps doing to the Texans.

finskev wrote:Love this Trade , Get a Huge Fast Inside Backer for an Occasional Pass Rusher, They Should File Cruelty Charges against Grier for what he Keeps doing to the Texans.

Seriously...the Texans are the gift that keeps on giving for the Phins!

If we can get Collins we would be set at LB for a long time.