NEW YORK -- The Miami Dolphins have reportedly discussed a trade-down move in the first-round of the NFL draft with at least four clubs: the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers. And among the players they are interested in selecting later than their No. 19 overall pick is Tennessee offensive tackle Ja'Wuan James.
Discussions with the 49ers are trickier, according to the Miami Herald, because the Dolphins would prefer to stay ahead of the Carolina Panthers (No. 28), and San Francisco doesn't draft until No. 30. The Dolphins' interest in James was suggested by NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport a week ago, via Twitter, and with the Panthers in need of an offensive lineman themselves, Miami is apparently leery of trading back behind Carolina. Trading back with Philadelphia (No. 22), Cleveland (No. 26) or New Orleans (No. 27) could net the Dolphins James or perhaps Virginia offensive tackle Morgan Moses plus a pick later in the draft.
From the opposite perspective, the Browns moving up from No. 26 to No. 19 would skip them ahead of the Arizona Cardinals, who are considered one of the few threats to draft a first-round quarterback outside the draft's first 10 picks. If the quarterback-needy Browns pass on the position with the No. 4 overall choice, something Cleveland coach Mike Pettine has already hinted at, a move up to No. 19 could give Cleveland a clearer shot at the quarterback it wants.
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