The 2019 Laremy Tunsil Trade: Miami Turned One Elite Tackle Into a Rebuilding War Chest
Houston acquired Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills, while Miami received two first-round picks, a second-rounder and two players. The Dolphins gained enormous flexibility.
Houston Texans Received
- pick Laremy Tunsil, Kenny Stills, 2020 4th round pick (111th overall subsequently traded, Solomon Kindley ) and 2021 6th round pick (202nd overall subsequently traded, Chris Evans)
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick Johnson Bademosi, Julie'n Davenport, 2020 1st round pick (26th overall subsequently traded, Jordan Love ), 2021 1st round pick (3rd overall subsequently traded, Trey Lance ) and 2021 2nd round pick (36th overall, Jevon Holland)
Trade Summary
Miami's Laremy Tunsil trade became one of the most valuable asset hauls of the modern era. Houston acquired a legitimate franchise left tackle and protected Deshaun Watson, so the Texans' side was not empty. But Miami extracted a massive premium, gained roster-building flexibility, and turned one elite tackle into the kind of pick package that can reshape a franchise. The verdict remains clear.
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Miami sent left tackle Laremy Tunsil, wide receiver Kenny Stills and later-round draft value to Houston in September 2019. The Dolphins received two first-round picks, a 2021 second-rounder, offensive tackle Julién Davenport and defensive back Johnson Bademosi.
Why Houston Paid So Much
The Texans were protecting Deshaun Watson and needed a high-end left tackle immediately. Tunsil was young, proven and played one of the league's most valuable non-quarterback positions. Houston was therefore buying certainty rather than hoping a future draft pick could solve the protection problem.
Tunsil did become the long-term premium tackle Houston expected. That matters when grading the trade: the Texans did not spend two first-rounders on a player who failed. They acquired an elite starter and later retained him.
Why Miami Still Wins the Value Argument
The Dolphins were entering a broad rebuild and recognized that one excellent tackle could be converted into multiple premium opportunities. Two first-rounders plus a second-rounder gave Miami flexibility extending across several drafts. The club later moved some of those selections again, creating a larger asset chain rather than a simple one-player comparison.
That flexibility became the defining advantage. Miami could use the picks directly, package them to move around the board or convert them into other players. Houston concentrated significant future capital into one position; Miami spread the value across multiple roster-building decisions.
Why This Was Not a Pure Fleecing
Houston's side deserves more credit than a transaction where the acquired star disappoints. Tunsil played at a high level and solved the exact problem the Texans were trying to address. The disagreement is about price, not player quality.
Final Verdict
Miami wins. The Dolphins surrendered an excellent young tackle, but the return of two first-round selections, a second-rounder and additional players created exceptional rebuilding leverage. Houston acquired the best established player in the transaction, yet paid a premium large enough that Miami retained the stronger total asset outcome.