Miami sent Jonathan Martin to San Francisco for a conditional…
Miami sent Jonathan Martin to San Francisco for a conditional 2015 seventh-round selection, ending a relationship that was no longer part of the Dolphins' plans. Martin appeared in 15 games with nine starts for the 49ers in 2014 before his San Francisco tenure ended. Miami recovered a future draft asset, but that return did not become a significant long-term Dolphins contributor.
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick 2015 7th round pick (232nd overall subsequently traded, Edmond Robinson )
San Francisco 49ers Received
- player Jonathan Martin
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
Miami needed a clean resolution with tackle Jonathan Martin after the events that ended his 2013 season with the club. San Francisco offered a familiar environment under Jim Harbaugh, who had coached Martin at Stanford, and sent a conditional 2015 seventh-round pick to acquire him. The cost and risk were low for both organizations.
What Each Side Actually Got
Martin appeared in 15 games for San Francisco in 2014 and started nine, giving the 49ers usable tackle depth during an injury-affected season. The club waived him the following March, so the acquisition never became a long-term solution. Miami received the future seventh-round selection that landed at No. 232 in the 2015 draft. The Dolphins later moved that pick, meaning the direct asset did not become a lasting Miami player.
How the Value Aged
The 49ers can point to actual starts from a player acquired for late-round capital. Miami can point to obtaining something for a player whose future with the organization had effectively ended. Neither return developed into a meaningful multi-year advantage. Martin’s one season of service and Miami’s late-pick flexibility sit in roughly the same value range.
Why the Margin Matters
Context matters here. Miami’s primary objective was to move on while recouping some value, and San Francisco’s was to add inexpensive depth. Both goals were achieved at a modest level. Assigning a clear winner would require exaggerating either nine starts or a seventh-round asset.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Miami and San Francisco each receive a C+. The Dolphins recovered a usable draft asset, while the 49ers received one season of tackle depth, but neither side created enough lasting value to separate from the other.
Martin gave San Francisco one season of usable tackle depth, while Miami recovered only a late pick that never became a meaningful Dolphins contributor.