Draft Trade Brings Back (Good and Bad) Dolphins Memories

The biggest development at the top of the 2023 NFL draft arguably was the trade that saw the Houston Texans moved up from the 12th overall pick to the third. It was a move that should have been familiar to the Miami Dolphins and their fans.

It was the third time in the past 11 years those two spots were swapped in a trade, and the Dolphins were involved in the other two, with mixed results.

But one thing is clear, though: The Dolphins made the best of those trades involves the swap of numbers 3 and 12.

Before we look back at the two Miami trades, let's point out the Arizona-Houston trade details, which saw the Texans get that third pick along with a 2023 third-round pick in exchange for the 12th pick, a second-round pick, a 2024 first-round pick and a 2024 third-round selection.

2013 — DOLPHINS DEAL WITH THE RAIDERS

In this trade, the Dolphins got an absolute steal in terms of the trade because all they had to give the Raiders to move up from 12th to third was a second-round selection. Compare that to what Houston gave up Arizona and the Dolphins made out like crazy here.

The only thing that hurt this trade is that the Dolphins used that third overall pick on Dion Jordan, who became perhaps the greatest draft bust in team history.

But in terms of the trade, it was a huge win for the Dolphins.

2021 — THE FIRST OF THE DOLPHINS' DOUBLE DEALS

The 2021 draft saw the Dolphins shake up the top of the first round by making two trades, the first of which saw them go from third to 12th in a deal with the San Francisco 49ers.

For dropping down nine spots, the Dolphins got not one but two future first-round picks along with a 2022 third-round pick. One could argue that beats the return Arizona got in the trade with Houston this year.

The Dolphins then surrendered one of those extra first-round picks in a trade with the Eagles to move up from 12th to sixth for the chance to select WR Jaylen Waddle.

But sticking to the first trade, the Dolphins, it can be said, are the kings when it comes to making those third overall for 12th overall trades.