On Aug. 31, 2019, the Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans made a bold trade that would have ramifications on the franchises for years. Miami dealt OT Laremy Tunsil, regarded by many as one of the top offensive tackles in the NFL, to the Houston Texans for a host of draft selections.
Why would Miami trade Tunsil? The franchise appeared hellbent on setting the reset button, finding their franchise QB, and building from the ground up. The Dolphins valued the flexibility and the trade assets more than an All-Pro left tackle, who would require a mega contract extension.
The Texans gave up 62 sacks in 2018 and knew their offensive line was in shambles. They saw an opportunity to improve the weakest part of their team in dramatic fashion, and they took it.
Who won the Tunsil trade? A few years later, we can make sense of it now.
Laremy Tunsil Trade Details
The Dolphins received:
- 2020 first-round pick
- 2021 first-round pick
- 2021 second-round pick
- OT Julien Davenport
- CB Johnson Bademosi
Thanks to the trade for Laremy Tunsil, the Dolphins now have clinched the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 4, 2021
The Texans received:
- OT Laremy Tunsil
- WR Kenny Stills
- 2020 fourth-round pick
- 2021 sixth-round pick
Players Involved In the Laremy Tunsil Trade
Tunsil is the primary player involved in the trade. Tunsil, up to this point, showcased All-Pro talent at the offensive tackle position. Acquiring a young, All-Pro talent at one of the games’ most critical positions would not be cheap.
The Texans were also in the market for a field-stretching vertical receiver, so they acquired WR Kenny Stills in the deal. Stills’ career was defined by inconsistency, but he brought the ability to make a big play down the field.
What was the outcome of the 2021 Laremy Tunsil trade between Miami and Houston?
The butterfly effect that landed the Dolphins Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb, and more, broken down here ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/9mZlS0gzpn
— Underdog Fantasy (@UnderdogFantasy) May 2, 2023
The Dolphins acquired CB Johnson Bademosi, a depth piece for the defensive backfield that never materialized, and OT Julien Davenport, who provided depth along the offensive line. Neither player shinned for the Dolphins, but they were throw-ins. This trade was all about draft compensation for Miami.
Who Won the Laremy Tunsil Trade?
When the Texans made this trade, they would have no idea about the saga they would encounter regarding franchise QB Deshaun Watson. Watson’s off-the-field legal issues threw this franchise’s timeline into a blender. You can’t blame that on the Texans.
That said, Tunsil played phenomenally for Houston. He was a linchpin for the offensive line, and had the Texans played deep into the playoffs or advanced to a Super Bowl during the Watson era, the trade would have been worth it. Unfortunately, history won’t be kind to the Texans.
The Dolphins used the assets acquired from the Texans to add even more draft capital. The Dolphins ultimately either drafted or traded for the following players with their draft haul from the trade:
- WR Tyreek Hill
- WR Jaylen Waddle
- S Jevon Holland
- CB Noah Igbinoghene
- G Solomon Kindley
- LB Channing Tindall
- WR Erik Ezukanma
Update of the Laremy Tunsil trade almost 3 years later pic.twitter.com/CT4SwkoktL
— Dolphinz Daily (@DolphinzDaily) March 24, 2022
It’s hard to look at this list and not say the Dolphins won this trade. Miami did what smart franchises do — maximized its assets and struck at the appropriate time.