Much like Laremy Tunsil, the Miami Dolphins did not want to trade Kenyan Drake

Mark Walton has a shot to prove he can be Miami's starting running back after Kenyan Drake was traded to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday.

After months of rumors, the Dolphins pulled the trigger on a deal that sent the four-year veteran to Arizona. The Dolphins could've kept Drake until the end of the season and gotten a compensation pick after he signed elsewhere, but the Dolphins plan to be aggressive in free agency, which would impact Miami's chances at any type of pick in that scenario.

General Manager Chris Grier is focused on developing a successful football team. In fact, Grier and company wanted to keep Kenyan Drake, but Drake wasn't interested, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

So Dolphins get a 2020 6th round pick that could become a 5th round pick for Drake. Miami wanted a 4th, but nobody willing to offer that. Dolphins had hoped Drake would sign extension beyond this season, but he wasn't interested.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) October 28, 2019

Despite Drake never reaching his true potential for a handful of different reasons (play calling and lack of opportunity), the Dolphins understood that Drake can be a game changer.

The pick coming back is a sixth-rounder, but if Drake shines, it could become a fifth. Helping Miami's cause is the fact that Arizona's running backs can't escape the injury bug.

Here is Tuesday’s running-back-filled injury report — AZ RBs David Johnson (ankle) and Chase Edmonds (hamstring) did not practice.

49ers had a walk-through, but estimation has RBs Matt Breida (ankle) and Raheem Mostert (knee) as DNP. pic.twitter.com/58r1LipM1l
— katherine fitzgerald (@kfitz134) October 30, 2019

Drake will have the opportunity to come in and win over the Arizona faithful right away. The Cardinals are where the Dolphins would like to be a year from now.

Behind top-pick Kyler Murray, Arizona sits at 3-4-1 after being the league's worst team last year. Most importantly, they're showing promise for the future.

Drake would've been a nice building block for whatever young quarterback is drafted by the Miami Dolphins, but Grier was offered a solid offer for a running back who may walk away for nothing at the end of the year.

Much like the Laremy Tunsil trade to Houston, the Dolphins were offered a deal they couldn't refuse. A potential fifth-round pick doesn't seem like great compensation, but the Dolphins received a pick that can be used as depth.

Maybe Grier and Miami's front office can work some magic and pluck a starter out of the fifth round of the draft.

Grier has had good success with fifth round, with Ajayi, McCain, Lippett (pre injury) https://t.co/nyXGot4peK
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) October 29, 2019

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