Miami Dolphins–New England Patriots Trade History

Miami sent quarterback Eddie Wilson to Boston for cash on July 10, 1967. Wilson had entered the Dolphins through the expansion draft but spent 1966 on injured reserve, making the deal a low-risk attempt by Boston to add veteran quarterback depth. Miami wins because it received cash for a player who retired almost immediately after the move. Boston's cost was not enormous, but the absence of any regular-season return makes the Patriots' side a clear miss.

Miami acquired linebacker Nick Buoniconti from Boston for linebacker John Bramlett, quarterback Kim Hammond and Miami's 1970 fifth-round choice, later used on Bob Olson. Buoniconti immediately became the organizing force of a defense that would anchor three straight Super Bowl teams and the perfect 1972 Dolphins, turning a modest three-asset package into one of the franchise's defining trades.

Miami acquired linebacker Steve Kiner from New England on August 4, 1972 for offensive tackle Bill Griffin. The historical record supports one Griffin in the exchange, not two separate players. Kiner was waived by Miami before the regular season, while Griffin never produced regular-season NFL value for New England. With neither side realizing meaningful on-field return, this belongs as an even trade.

Miami traded tackle Wayne Mass to New England on August 28, 1972 for the Patriots' 1973 seventh-round pick, which became No. 160 overall. Miami selected linebacker Kevin Reilly with that choice. Mass played only six games for New England in 1972, while Reilly never played for Miami, making this a modest Dolphins win rather than a major haul.

Miami Dolphins received 1973 seventh round pick (#163-Benny Shepherd) in the exchange with New England Patriots. Miami's seventh-round choice became No. 163 Benny Shepherd, but the available career record does not show meaningful Dolphins regular-season value from that selection. Against New England Patriots' return of Bill Griffin, that result supports a C- grade. The transaction is judged as Even Trade, with the mark based on the football value that actually followed from the deal.

Miami acquired receiver Irving Fryar from New England in April 1993 and received three excellent seasons from the veteran. Fryar topped 1,000 receiving yards in both 1993 and 1994 and totaled 3,190 yards with 20 touchdowns as a Dolphin. New England's primary return became guard Todd Rucci, who developed into a durable Patriots starter.

Miami acquired pick 78 in the 2003 draft from New England for its 2004 second-rounder, then selected offensive lineman Wade Smith. Smith gave the Dolphins limited early-career value before becoming a better player elsewhere. New England’s future pick became No. 56 and was traded to Cincinnati for Corey Dillon. Dillon immediately rushed for a franchise-record season and helped the Patriots win Super Bowl XXXIX, creating an overwhelming New England advantage.

New England sent Miami a second-round pick and a seventh-round pick for Wes Welker, then expanded a useful receiver and returner into one of the defining slot weapons of the era. Welker became a repeated 100-catch producer, a Pro Bowler, and a central target for Tom Brady. The Patriots paid meaningful draft capital, but the player's production and schematic fit overwhelmed the price and made the trade one of the dynasty era's clearest value wins.

Miami sent No. 147 to New England for Nos. 196, 204 and 250. The Dolphins used No. 204 on Jordan Lucas and recycled the other choices through later moves, including a separate trade that helped them reach Jakeem Grant. New England immediately packaged No. 147 with No. 243 to Seattle and ultimately obtained the future fourth-round pick used on Deatrich Wise Jr., a long-term Patriots defender. New England's downstream return lasted longer.

Miami traded receiver Isaiah Ford to New England at the 2020 deadline for a conditional 2022 sixth-round pick. Ford caught only a handful of passes for the Patriots and was waived roughly a month later, after which Miami reclaimed him. The Dolphins therefore recovered the player while also retaining the draft compensation that was ultimately conveyed, turning a short-term roster move into a clear value gain.

Miami sent DeVante Parker and a 2022 fifth-round pick to New England for a 2023 third-rounder. Parker gave the Patriots veteran receiving help but never became a difference-making long-term piece, while Miami extracted premium draft position from a player whose role was shrinking after the Tyreek Hill acquisition. The third-round return carried more lasting roster value than New England received from Parker and the accompanying fifth-round selection.

Miami acquired offensive lineman Caedan Wallace plus a 2029 seventh-round pick from New England for a 2028 sixth-round selection. The Dolphins bought a young tackle with starting experience at a modest future cost, but New England moved a player from a crowded line room and improved the timing and round of its draft capital.