Miami moved down fourteen spots in the 2017 seventh round,…
Miami moved down fourteen spots in the 2017 seventh round, giving Tampa Bay pick No. 223 for No. 237 and a 2018 seventh-round choice. The Dolphins selected Isaiah Ford, who eventually produced 63 NFL receptions and 681 yards, mostly with Miami. Tampa Bay chose defensive tackle Stevie Tu'ikolovatu, who never appeared in a regular-season game, leaving Miami with the clearly better realized return.
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick 2017 7th round pick (237th overall, Isaiah Ford )
- pick 2018 7th round pick (223rd overall; subsequently traded; San Francisco later selected Jullian Taylor)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- pick 2017 7th round pick (223rd overall, Stevie Tu'ikolovatu )
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Tampa Bay moved from No. 237 to No. 223 late in the 2017 draft and sent Miami a 2018 seventh-round pick to complete the swap. The Buccaneers selected USC defensive tackle Stevie Tu'ikolovatu. Miami stayed in the round and selected Virginia Tech receiver Isaiah Ford at No. 237, while the future seventh later moved elsewhere and ultimately became pick No. 223 in 2018.
Why Miami Came Out Ahead
Ford did not become a star, but seventh-round trades are judged on usable roster value rather than headline production. He worked his way from injuries and practice-squad time into an NFL receiving role, finishing with 63 catches for 681 yards and two touchdowns. Most of that work came for Miami, making him a real return from the lower selection. Tu'ikolovatu never logged a regular-season NFL game, so Tampa Bay's move up did not deliver comparable football value.
How the Extra Pick Matters
The future seventh-rounder strengthens Miami's side even though the Dolphins later moved the asset. Draft capital can be useful without becoming a player for the original club, and Miami received that flexibility while still finding the better player in Ford. The stakes were small, which keeps the grade from becoming extreme, but the structure favored the team that moved down and still found a contributor.
Final Verdict
Miami earns a B and Tampa Bay a D. The Dolphins added an extra future pick and selected the only player in the exchange who produced meaningful NFL snaps. Miami Dolphins Win.