ESPN The Minnesota Vikings have acquired wide receiver Mike Wallace and a seventh-round draft pick from the Miami Dolphins for a fifth-round pick, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The trade was made before the Dolphins had to pay Wallace’s $3 million bonus this weekend. Wallace led the Dolphins in receiving yards (862) and touchdowns (10) and was second in receptions (67) this past season. However, he fell out of favor in Miami following Week 17 sideline altercation in a loss to the New York Jets. Wallace was benched in the second half, which raised questions about his future with the team. He also struggled at times to get on the same page with quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who wasn’t consistent throwing deep passes to the speedy Wallace. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Tannehill threw three more interceptions than TDs (seven to five) when targeting Wallace in 2013, although that ratio turned around significantly in 2014 (one INT, 10 TDs). Miami traded for former New Orleans Saintsreceiver Kenny Stills on Friday, which made Wallace expendable. He was scheduled to make $9.9 million in 2015. Wallace initially inked a $60 million contract with the Dolphins in 2013 after spending his first four seasons in the league with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Miami Dolphins were clearly not happy with Ryan Tannehill’s receivers last season, as the team has jettisoned tight end Charles Clay and wide receivers Brian Hartline, Brandon Gibson and now Mike Wallace. The Dolphins have replaced this players with tight end Jordan Cameron and wide receiver Kenny Stills. The Dolphins are still going to need to find targets for Tannehill in the passing game, as Kenny Stills, Jordan Cameron and Dwight Landry are all good players, but they need more weapons.
P.S. Although Mike Wallace is pricey, I love this trade for the Vikings, Wallace and Tannehill never got on the same page and I think Wallace’s speed will be a better match on the Minnesota turf with Teddy Bridgewater.
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