Miami Dolphins–Washington Commanders Trade History

Washington acquired the NFL rights to Joe Theismann. Miami received Washington's 1976 first-round selection and used No. 17 on linebacker Larry Gordon, who became a productive long-term Dolphin. Theismann eventually became Washington's franchise quarterback and led the club to a Super Bowl championship. Miami received genuine first-round value and drafted a good starter, so this was not a bad deal for the Dolphins. Theismann's quarterback value, longevity and championship impact nevertheless made Washington's side more consequential.

Washington acquired Howard Kindig, but he did not become a lasting piece for the club. Miami received the 1975 tenth-round selection used on Joe Jackson, who did not produce an NFL career. The transaction moved a veteran for a late pick, but neither side converted its return into durable on-field value. The cleanest hindsight judgment is an even result at a low grade.

Washington acquired Karl Lorch's rights from Miami for a 1976 10th-round pick. Lorch eventually joined the team and played six Washington seasons, appearing in 90 games with 52 starts and providing substantial defensive-line value. Miami used pick No. 281 on Gary Fencik, who never played for the Dolphins before becoming a star elsewhere. Washington won this exchange by a wide margin.

Washington acquired veteran tight end Marv Fleming from Miami for the NFL rights to Charley Harraway and a 1977 fourth-round pick, No. 110. The deal unraveled quickly: Harraway did not report to Miami, but Fleming was waived before the 1975 season and never gave Washington regular-season value. Miami still retained the future draft asset and later moved it, so the Dolphins escaped with usable compensation while Washington received essentially nothing.

On 1975-08-21, Miami Dolphins received Cotton Speyrer, while Washington received undisclosed draft pick (selection not identified). The hindsight verdict is Even Trade, with Miami Dolphins graded C and Washington graded C. The evaluation follows the documented consideration and the football value that can be traced from it, while treating conditional terms and later draft outcomes as context rather than as assets exchanged directly on trade day.

Miami Dolphins received Bryant Salter from Washington, giving up Jake Scott; 1977 fourth round pick (#97-Duncan McColl). Miami received Bryant Salter. The Dolphins obtained a player, but the package did not match Washington's combined veteran-and-pick return, so Miami lands at C. That return supports a C grade for Miami Dolphins. The final verdict is Washington Redskins Win.

Miami traded tight end Jim Mandich to Washington and received two eighth-round selections, including the 1980 pick used on quarterback David Woodley. Woodley became a multi-year Dolphins starter and started Super Bowl XVII, creating exceptional value from a very late selection. Washington did not receive comparable regular-season production from Mandich after the transaction, leaving Miami with the much stronger realized return.

Miami traded rookie quarterback Bill Kenney to Washington on August 1, 1978 for a conditional 1979 sixth-round draft choice. Washington released Kenney three weeks later before the regular season, and contemporaneous reporting states that the sixth-round pick reverted to Washington. Miami therefore retained no exercised draft return from the deal.

Miami acquired fullback Jim Braxton and Washington's 1979 third-round pick, No. 80. Braxton's Dolphins stay was brief, but the draft asset retained meaningful value and was later used in the March 1979 deal for safety Neal Colzie. That gave Miami a useful path from the original transaction even after Braxton himself failed to become a lasting contributor.

Miami moved into the 1990 fifth round at No. 137 and selected Leroy Holt. Holt's path to an NFL role was derailed by a neck injury before he could produce meaningful regular-season value. Because Miami consolidated its return into one selection that did not become a durable contributor, the Dolphins finished with little realized benefit from the exchange.

Miami traded defensive tackle Barron Tanner to Washington on September 4, 1999 for a 2001 sixth-round pick that became Josh Heupel. Tanner had played 29 games for Miami but did not appear in a regular-season game for Washington. Heupel also never became an NFL regular-season contributor, yet Miami still gained a draft asset for a player Washington did not use, giving the Dolphins the better side.

Miami acquired veteran punter Matt Turk from Washington for a 2001 seventh-round pick. Turk immediately handled all 16 games for the Dolphins in 2000, averaging 42.1 yards on 92 punts, and returned for several more Miami seasons. Washington received only late-round draft capital. Getting a proven starting specialist for such a small price makes Miami the clear winner, even though Turk’s Pro Bowl peak came earlier in Washington.

Miami acquired quarterback Sage Rosenfels from Washington in August 2002 for a 2003 seventh-round pick. Rosenfels served primarily as a reserve for the Dolphins and did not produce major statistics there, but he remained with the club for four seasons before later becoming a more experienced NFL backup and spot starter. Washington used the acquired late pick on Gibran Hamdan, who did not record meaningful NFL playing time. Miami gets the modest edge.

Miami Dolphins received 2009 second-round pick (44th overall, Pat White); 2010 sixth-round pick (174th overall, later traded). Miami used Washington's 2009 second-round selection at No. 44 on Pat White. The acquired sixth-rounder became No. 174, but Miami did not use it on Dennis Morris. Those receiving-team outcomes support a B+ grade. Washington held the counterparty return, and the transaction-level verdict is Miami Dolphins Win.

Miami traded sixth- and seventh-round choices to Washington for pick No. 163 and selected safety Reshad Jones. Jones became a ten-year Dolphin, a two-time Pro Bowler and one of the franchise’s most productive defensive backs of the decade. Washington selected Dennis Morris and Terrence Austin; Morris was traded before the season and Austin had a limited receiving role. The hindsight gap is enormous.

Miami sent picks No. 79, No. 146 and No. 217 to Washington to move up to No. 62 for running back Daniel Thomas. Thomas spent four seasons with the Dolphins as a rotational contributor. Washington used the three incoming selections on Leonard Hankerson, DeJon Gomes and Maurice Hurt, creating useful receiving, defensive and offensive-line contributions across several roster spots.

Miami sent guard Ereck Flowers and the 2021 seventh-round pick at No. 258 to Washington, receiving the No. 244 selection in return. The Dolphins gained modest draft position and moved Flowers' contract, but the pick used on Gerrid Doaks did not create value comparable to Flowers' immediate starting role in Washington. Miami's practical return was limited, supporting a C grade.