It would be a bold move, but trading for Metcalf could put the Dolphins over the top.
Every offseason there’s a handful of big names that either get cut, traded or demand a trade. The Miami Dolphins were the beneficiaries of one of these blockbuster offseason deals three years ago with the Tyreek Hill trade.
Some of the big names we’ve seen this offseason are the Joey Bosa and DeVante Adams cuts and the Joe Thuney trade to the Chicago Bears. The name that just came up that the Dolphins should run to the phone for is Seattle Seahawks star receiver D.K. Metcalf.
Metcalf is an ascending pass catcher who brings size to a position the Dolphins have none of, not to mention he also has some of that elite-level speed they fond over.
I know the Dolphins have Hill and Jaylen Waddle, so a trade like this wouldn’t make sense without moving one of them, but that’s just what I’m proposing.
Can’t Hold Anything Back Now
There has been chatter regarding Tyreek Hill either wanting to leave, being traded due to off-the-field issues, or moving on because he’s not getting any younger and seems to fall short when the lights are at their brightest.
There’s no doubt that Hill has been one of the most productive receivers in Dolphins history, with back-to-back 1,700-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023. Those numbers speak for themselves, but in 2024, defense adjusted.
Teams played the majority of the passing downs in two high coverage and virtually took away the big play threat of Hill, and he couldn’t crack 1,000 yards for the first time in five years.
Hill is still a top receiver, but when you have a player on the other side of the field in Waddle who shares similar strengths, they consequentially share the same weaknesses. Neither guy makes tough catches that take on contact, nor do they attack the ball at its highest point.
I also didn’t agree with the Dolphins pretending like Hill didn’t want to leave just a few months ago and was the focal point of the fining players that showed up late to meetings fiasco. I feel like it’s the perfect spot for the Dolphins to move on from Hill, and there’s no better replacement than Metcalf.
Perfect For Both Sides
Though this would be a blockbuster trade, it’s not a fantasy. Metcalf has requested a trade, and the Seahawks aren’t a bottomed-out team. They were 10-7 last year and 9-8 the year before and were not actively shopping anyone like it’s a rebuild.
They have a good, young core and could benefit from adding Hill just as much as the Dolphins would with Metcalf. Tua Tagovailoa has had success with bigger, tougher pass catchers like DeVante Parker and last year with Jonnu Smith. Their contracts line up well, with Hill having a $27.6 million cap hit and Metcalf having a $31.8 million hit.
I’d argue that Metcalf being four years younger should also be a factor here. He’s ascending, while Hill has plateaued or even started his descent. It’s a trade that would benefit both sides, and the Dolphins would be getting the type of receiver that could make the Dolphins offense a legitimate threat, even in the cold.
The Dolphins offense has been running on one pitch, and that’s speed. It’s time to add that curveball with Metcalf’s height and strength while maintaining a similar speed as his predecessor.
