As free agency was about to begin the Dolphins were ready to release Branden Albert their Pro-Bowl left tackle. The release would save the Dolphins nearly $10 million in cap space. It was announced by the media that Albert would be released but the Dolphins never followed through with it.
Within hours rumors began to circulate that the Dolphins were trading Albert to Jacksonville for tight-end Julius Thomas. A day passed and that rumor turned to two separate trades. A 7th round 2016 draft selection was sent to Jacksonville for Thomas and then later a conditional 2017 7th round draft pick was sent to Miami for Albert.