When it was reported nearly three weeks ago that the Baltimore Ravens would explore the trade market for Bryant McKinnie, we immediately set the Miami Dolphins as the favorites to roll the dice on the banished left tackle.
McKinnie confirmed to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport that he was traded to Miami on Monday. The compensation is a conditional late-round draft pick, Ravens coach John Harbaugh announced. It's a good bet the condition is based on the number of starts for McKinnie the rest of the season.
Jay Glazer of Fox Sports first reported the trade.
Pass protection has been an issue for the Dolphins since Week 1. Ryan Tannehill has been sacked more than any quarterback, with left tackle Jonathan Martin and right tackle Tyson Clabo combining to surrender more sacks (14) than any bookend duo in the league.
Mario Williams put a clown suit on Clabo with a pair of game-changing sacks in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game. Expect McKinnie to take over at left tackle once he's deemed ready. Martin would then slide over to right tackle, moving Clabo to the bench.
McKinnie is excited to be returning to the city of his alma mater, telling Rapoport that it's "great to get a chance to play" in front of the same fans that cheered him at the University of Miami.
While it's a sensible fit for player and team, Dolphins fans shouldn't expect a dramatic upgrade in pass protection.
SiriusXM NFL Radio's Ross Tucker recently told the "Around The League Podcast" that the veteran offensive tackle's effort was noticeably lacking prior to the Ravens' trade for Eugene Monroe.
McKinnie is on the back nine of his career. He was benched in Baltimore for good reason.
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