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The Quinnen Question: Easy Answer for Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins would be smart to investigate the possibility if the New York Jets indeed are looking to trade defensive tackle Quinnen Williams
Alain Poupart|
The Quinnen Question: Easy Answer for Dolphins
The Quinnen Question: Easy Answer for Dolphins

There were conflicting reports Tuesday morning about the New York Jets involving their desire to trade 2019 third overall pick Quinnen Williams.

The only apparent reason the Jets would consider trading Williams is they're in full rebuilding mode and might want to focus on acquiring draft compensation, but whatever the reason the Miami Dolphins would be smart to reach out to New York GM Joe Douglas.

Williams is a talented young defensive linemen in the Jets' 3-4 scheme who has been one of the rare bright spots in the team's 0-7 start. His contract also would be very palatable for any team trading for him because the Jets already have handled his signing bonus.

He's due a little less than $10 million in guaranteed salary through the 2022 season.

Williams has 28 tackles through the first seven games, matching his rookie season total when he played 13 games with nine starts. He already has topped his sack total (3 to 2.5 last year) and tackles for loss (5 to 4).

For the Dolphins, he would fit in nicely on the defensive line, particularly after the loss of fourth-year player Davon Godchaux to a triceps injury. The Dolphins have used rookie second-round pick Raekwon Davis and practice squad elevation Benito Jones at defensive tackle in Godchaux's absence, but Williams would be a great addition to line up alongside 2019 Dolphins first-round pick Christian Wilkins.

As for compensation, the New York Daily News report suggested the Jets would be looking for a second-round pick along with something else. The Dolphins, remember, have additional picks next year as the result of the 2019 trade with the Houston Texans.

So the Dolphins easily could afford giving the Jets, say, a second- and a fifth-round pick.

But the question, of course, is whether the Jets would consider trading a significant player within the division. When they were going through the whole Jamal Adams saga in the summer, we chronicled how those kind of trades are pretty rare.

And, of course, there's the issue of whether the Jets are looking to trade Williams at all, something that ESPN Jets reporter Rich Cimini tweeted is just not the case.

Of course, this wouldn't be the first team a team leaked out that kind of suggestion in an effort to drive up the asking price.

From here, because of his age, ability and contract status, it wouldn't make much sense for the Jets to trade Williams.

But if that's the route they're going to choose, the Dolphins most definitely should investigate the possibility.

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Alain Poupart has covered the Miami Dolphins on a full-time basis since 1989. You can follow him on Twitter at @apoupartFins.

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Alain Poupart
ALAIN POUPART

Alain Poupart is the publisher/editor of Miami Dolphins On SI and host of the All Dolphins Podcast. Alain has covered the Miami Dolphins on a full-time basis since 1989 for various publications and media outlets, including Dolphin Digest, The Associated Press and the Dolphins team website. In addition to being a credentialed member of the Miami Dolphins press corps, Alain has covered three Super Bowls (for NFL.com, Football News and the Montreal Gazette), the annual NFL draft, the Senior Bowl, and the NFL Scouting Combine. During his almost 40 years in journalism, which began at the now-defunct Miami News, Alain has covered practically every sport at one time or another, from tennis to golf, baseball, basketball and everything in between. The career also included time as a copy editor, including work on several books, such as "Still Perfect," an inside look at the Miami Dolphins' 1972 perfect season. A native of Montreal, Canada, whose first language is French, Alain grew up a huge hockey fan but soon developed a love for all sports, including NFL football. He has lived in South Florida since the 1980s.

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