Kenyan Drake: Trade Or Not To Trade
Kenyan Drake has the potential to be a special player
There’s a 100% chance that Free Agency begins March 14th …
… But how deep the Dolphin rebuild will be and how it will affect their moves in FA is the great unknown.
Most bookie website software providers are betting Miami will only dip their little toe in this free agency market… if that much.
Despite the lack of Free Agency activity, Miami might still trade away valuable assets for picks.
One particular player is in a curious position: RB Kenyan Drake.
Now, I’d prefer to keep Drake. He’s young, a playmaker who can score every time he touches the ball and is a rare receiver out of the backfield.
Just ask New England.
But these traits are exactly why other teams would be interested in trading for him… and might pay a decent price.
Many fans including myself were expecting Drake to have a breakout season last year. However, for whatever reason Gase gave the bulk of the carries to the veteran Frank Gore.
The rationale from Gase & Co. was, despite the big plays, Drake wouldn’t always maximize his runs and pass protection was an issue.
With Flores the new sheriff in town, there are no loyalties to last year’s roster. But, letting Drake go could hurt Miami’s future success.
Even with a limited workload last year, Drake still managed 535 yards on 120 carries for a 4.5 YPC with 4 rushing touchdowns. In addition, he proved his versatility by being effective in the passing game with 53 receptions for 477 yards with a 9 YPR and 5 touchdowns.
That’s sizable production from a role player.
The biggest thing that jumps out is the 9 touchdowns, which shows his unique ability to get to the end zone from anywhere on the field.
Then there was his trademark play of 2019 was the ‘Miami Miracle’.
Drake offers tremendous value and is a player that many even think has just scratched the surface of his talent. I agree with this assessment, but Drake is also in the final year of his contract. The ‘Patriot Way’ doesn’t pay a premium on running backs… and then there’s Kalen Ballage.
If Miami is looking to tank this season and stockpile draft picks for the future, then trading Drake should be on the menu… unless they are already certain he is part of Miami’s future.
Reasons for trading Kenyan Drake
- Drake was a 3rd round pick, getting even some value is key. A trade now or long-term contract is the only way not to lose value.
- Unless he performs at an above average level in 2019, his compensatory value will be lower than a 3rd… less than what Miami paid to get him.
- The 2019 Season should determine if Drake is worth a bloated extension. Can they fairly evaluate him with a weak roster?
- Will Drake get smothered in an offense in transition and make it difficult to evaluate him correctly?
- With one year left on his rookie contract, the cheap contractual obligation is an added draw in a trade.
Chiefs and Andy Reid would love to have an explosive RB… again
The Chiefs are a team I could see being interested in Drake.
onsidered contenders for next year’s Super Bowl, the one thing that Kansas City needs is a quality running back… especially one who is a receiving threat.
Losing Kareem Hunt hurt them in the Playoffs… bad. Also, the Chiefs have former Dolphin Damien Williams who shared the backfield with Drake in Miami. Williams is a dangerous and perfect compliment to Drake. Coach Reid would have a field day drawing up new and special plays for Drake.
The question is though would KC, or any team, really be willing to part with a quality pick to get him?
Running backs are much easier to find in the draft than other positions… but Drake’s ability in the passing game is rare. I can’t help but think of Terry Kirby, get nostalgic, and hope he sticks. Although, some quality picks
What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans thoughts about trading or not trading Drake?
If you need a refresher on the compensatory pick system, here goes: A total of 32 compensatory picks are awarded to teams based on the players they lost or gained during free agency in the year prior. This allows clubs that have lost free agents to another team to use the draft to attempt to fill the void. The value of compensatory FAs gained or lost by each team is calculated by the “proprietary formula” and a club is awarded picks of equal value to its net loss of such FAs, up to four. The picks come at the end of Rounds 3 through 7.
This year’s compensatory picks have been released. Teams with the maximum four picks are the Cardinals, Patriots and Redskins after losing the likes of Jaron Brown, Nate Solder, Kirk Cousins, respectively, and many more in free agency in 2018.
Taken from NFL Analysis Jeremy Bergman on Twitter @JABergman.
Admin Base on this write up is it safe to say that Good NFL teams will gain the maximum 4 compensatory picks each draft?
2017 we had three and one other year a 4th… other than that we are throwing free pick away on bad FA’s.
NFL Teams constantly over look talented players for what ever the reason are.
Of the 32 starting QBs from 2018, only three were drafted lower than Prescott’s 135 (Tom Brady, 199; Case Keenum, undrafted; Nick Mullens, undrafted).
It’ hard to find a good QB… harder the farther you go beyond the 1st… Murray slightly over 5’10”. Could be the next Wilson… we won’t get a chance to draft him though… we’ll need to go fish…
Scenario: Considering we missed on QB Murray and Gaskins, We can trade back for more picks in the 1st round and 2nd round?
Allowing the Dolphins to consider drafting a Tailback in the 3rd and a 7th Round RB/FB, utilizing both properly. The Two I have in mind are Texas A&M Trayveon Williams and Pitt RB Qadree Ollison
Round 3: Trayveon Williams—RB Freshman Highlights https://youtu.be/FZg8UNEpDnM//
https://youtu.be/hHB4CtEp-ZQ; VS NC State
https://youtu.be/P854qWWF6lU
https://youtu.be/P854qWWF6lU; VS LSU
https://youtu.be/euLzRLh640I; VS Arkansas
https://youtu.be/hdkS1No-OlA; vs UCLA
https://youtu.be/I_-dyocbJdw VS Northwestern
Round 7: Miami, Pittsburgh* Pitt RB Qadree Ollison
https://youtu.be/-hDCvHad2OU
We need a Quarterback true: We also need to established our Run Game!
This will be an interesting decision. I’d wait to see if a miracle happens with Murray… then move back and see if Jones falls to us. Jones has some very nice aspects, but not sure about him at #13. I also wouldn’t mind trading out of the 1st and let it ride with the QBs we have.
I disagree with the thinking that Running Backs are easy to fine. The Blue Chip Running Backs Can carry a team when called too!
Admin
Remember Drake primary role being drafted was to create havoc against the linebackers in the secondary. Making him a situational Tail Back not the primary back.
I wouldn’t say good ones are easy to find… but one that gets 1.0 yards before contact as a plug and play rookie is far easier at the RB spot than any other. The best back will get you near 2.0 yard before contact (example gurley 1.8), but a good oline and decent (1.0 YPC) can be effective. Generally speaking, a good line is the most crucial element to the run game. Now, special backs with special traits is a different story. I’d pay Drake in line with what Williams makes for 3 year instead of two… maybe as much as 6 instead of 4 mill per. But, what is sense of keeping Drake for a season if the formula isn’t to overpay for a part-time running back? I’m far higher on Drake than Jimmy (and I edited some of my love for him in the article) but I dont want to see Drake go for nothing. If neither Drake or Ballage is a feature back then you have to get one… and why over pay for a part timer with a rebuilding team? If Drake is 25 touch player, then extend him now. So, I’m with Jimmy on this one. Drake and Ballage could be special or flawed… not sure which. But I’d say Drake is more complete.
Nothing negative to say about Drake, to me he is a situational back and not that 25 touch player. With the Dolphins he was not used properly.
Drake and Ballage could create havoc But the Dolphins in the passed history has failed to used them properly.The Fins really have cheated these guy’s trying to justify the Quarterbacks.
I really like to see a one,two and three punch from a Quarterback who is faster than the receivers on the field. If we can managed 60% run mentality and 40% passing we would keep many offenses on the bench to win more games.
The Dolphins can revive their offense by acquiring a good quarterback and a road grader Guard or Center. They need to sign their free agent right tackle too. Even with the low caliber QB’s we have on the roster, a running game will make them better. As the article points out there are lots of running backs out there so I doubt if the pick we would get in trade would all that great.
Cut the high priced and the underachieving. Sever ties with the old defensive roster. If you want to tank, a bad defense is the way to do it. You might get a pick in a trade for someone like Jones but I doubt it. Just say goodbye and thanks for being a Dolphin. You know, give them a plaque on their way out the door.
Grier can heal the offense much quicker than he can the defense. I would try to get Nick Foles and try to draft a top QB if they became available. You might get lucky and get the kid from W. Va., Will Grier, in the second round! If not there is always next year! If I am a GM, I would like to think that I could concentrate on defense and best available athlete, next year. LEAVE THE running game alone!
“The Dolphins can revive their offense by acquiring a good quarterback and a road grader Guard or Center. They need to sign their free agent right tackle too. ”
James is a curious case… uneven play and prone to injuries makes me squeamish thinking about his return. I hope Davis returns at RG and Swanson at C. LG is critical and RT if James goes. I’d look to upgrade both Swanson and Davis next year… see if they step it up, first of course. Think the O-line is a big ? at this point… But agree in mostly with you.
“Grier can heal the offense much quicker than he can the defense.”
I agree, but the QB is a tough nut to crack and is the key piece.
“I would try to get Nick Foles and try to draft a top QB if they became available. ”
I don’t think he would come here… a rebuild is likely not what he wants. I think Jags go for him.
This was Jimmy’s, but Miami needs to A sign Drake now to an extension or trade him. They could just roll the dice and let it ride, but the chance of them getting value from Drake or have to pay him, even more, is much higher. What about Ballage? I like Drake better as he has a rare talent to be spread out wide and be a threat… I really like the potential, but his Pass blocking and lack of dealing with a heavy workload are big ?…
Drake has me riding the fence on his return or being trade bait…