It seems there could be a potential deal to be made between the Miami Dolphins and the Philadelphia Eagles concerning cornerback Brandon Boykin.
First, Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported that the Dolphins were discussing trades with several teams and had shown interest in a member of the Eagles secondary.
"Word on the street is Miami has talked to a number of teams about a number of players. They like a Eagles CB or S. I just don't know who," Kelly tweeted.
Then, Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald discussed the possibility further, noting that Eagles head coach Chip Kelly has made nearly every player on the Philadelphia roster, including Boykin, available in trade.
"The Eagles, who one source tells me are willing to trade just about anybody for the right compensation, are said to be willing to trade cornerback Brandon Boykin. I cannot independently confirm Boykin is on the market, but other "reports" say he is...So Boykin's on the radar as a possibility," Salguero writes.
What that means in terms of the validity of the rumor is hard to tell. Boykin (5-foot-9) is much smaller than Kelly seems to prefer in his defensive backs and despite his strong play in the slot the last couple of seasons has seemed incapable of moving up the depth chart or garnering snaps on the outside, so it certainly seems feasible that he'd be open to moving him.
Salguero posits that a potential deal between Miami and Philly could involve the two teams first-round picks in the 2015 NFL Draft.
"There is, obviously, a possibility the Eagles may want to move up from their No. 20 draft spot to get to Miami's No. 14. There is, obviously, the possibility giving up No. 14 for No. 20 in the first round plus Boykin makes sense if the receiver or cornerback the Dolphins covet at No. 14 is gone. Keep that in mind," writes Salguero.
Kelly said while at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix last week that Boykin would be among a handful of players vying for the chance to start opposite free agent pick-up Byron Maxwell at cornerback for the Eagles next season, though that could very well have just been posturing on Kelly's part.
Boykin, despite his small stature, has great athleticism and ball skills. He finished last season with just a single interception but nabbed six picks and 16 passes defensed in 2013.
The Dolphins, with Brent Grimes and Will Davis as their projected starters on the outside and Brice McCain on the inside, seem to have no issue with smaller cornerbacks as long as they bring tenacity, competitiveness and other important assets to the table.
