Miami acquired veteran punter Matt Turk from Washington for a…
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 Dolphins Received
- player Matt Turk
Washington Commanders Received
- pick 2001 7th round pick
Trade Analysis
Why Miami Targeted Matt Turk
Miami traded a 2001 seventh-round selection for Matt Turk in March 2000, acquiring a veteran punter with an established NFL résumé. Turk had already made three Pro Bowls in Washington, so the Dolphins were not gambling on an unknown player. He immediately became their full-time punter, handling 92 punts in all 16 games during the 2000 season and averaging 42.1 yards per attempt. That is substantial certainty for the cost of a late future pick.
What Washington Received
Washington received only a seventh-round selection. Late-round picks can become useful players, but the compensation was minimal for a specialist who still had multiple productive seasons ahead. The trade also came after Turk’s statistical peak in Washington, which explains why his value was not especially high. Even so, the draft return did not match the amount of future playing time Miami obtained from a proven veteran.
How Long Turk Helped Miami
Turk punted for Miami in 2000 and 2001, then returned to the Dolphins for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Across those years he gave the club repeated full-season service at a position where consistency matters. His 2000 performance included 25 punts inside the 20-yard line, and Miami won the AFC East that season. The Dolphins did not acquire Turk at his Pro Bowl peak, but they acquired years of reliable specialist work.
Final Verdict
Miami Dolphins Win. Miami earns an A- for securing a multi-season starting punter for a seventh-round pick. Washington receives a D because the return was minimal compared with the useful career Turk still had ahead of him. The trade did not involve a premium position, but the ratio of cost to dependable playing time strongly favors the Dolphins.