Now that the Kansas City Chiefs have lowered their asking price on franchise player Branden Albert, the Miami Dolphins are interested in acquiring the left tackle.
Although a source told ESPN's John Clayton that the Dolphinshave been granted permission to talk to and visit with Albert, Chiefs coach Andy Reiddenied the report Thursday, The Kansas City Star reported.
In other words, either Clayton's source is wrong or Reid is taking liberties with the truth. Perhaps the Chiefs' plan was to grant permission in order to help facilitate a trade, but they might have pulled back a bit for leverage purposes.
Ultimately, it's a trade that makes too much sense not to happen.
In his pre-draft conference call Thursday, NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock opined that surrendering a new mega-contract and a draft pick for Albert should give most teams hesitation. But for the Dolphins, "I'm in," Mayock said.
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The top-three left tackle prospects are expected to be off the 2013 NFL Draft board long before the Dolphins' No. 12 pick. What's more, Mayock doesn't believe Alabama's D.J. Fluker will get past the offensive tackle-desperate San Diego Chargers at No. 11.
With no guarantee that the Dolphins can trade into the top-six overall to draft a blindside protector for quarterback Ryan Tannehill, Albert is their best option.
Follow Chris Wesseling on Twitter @ChrisWesseling.
