Darren McFadden News
Marion Barber for the number one pick?
Last week, I said that the Dallas Cowboys would be a good trade partner for the Dolphins and the number one pick in the draft. Since then, ESPN and various other sports media outlets have agreed. Trade rumors have sprouted involving Marion Barber III and both of Dallas’ picks for pick numero uno, which Jerry Jones would undoubtedly use to draft Arkansas standout, Darren McFadden.
Up front, this looks like a good trade for both sides. It would give Jerry Jones the chance to draft his obsession and shore up the Cowboys’ running game and the Dolphins would get a proven, young back, who averaged nearly 5 yards per carry this year, to pair up with Ronnie Brown and in the case of any further injury, step in for Brown. Additionally, the Dolphins would land two more first round picks. Including pick 32, which the Patriots will forfiet, Miami would then essentially have three first rounders. Sounds like a no-brainer, eh?
But things may not be that simple. Barber is a restricted free agent this year and the Cowboys have yet to sign him. For the Dolphins to land Barber, the Cowboys will need to get him to turn down any other offers and ink a contract that surrenders his RFA status just so they can ship him off to Miami. After what Barber has done for Jones and the ‘Boys over the past two years, that scenario could be viewed in the same light as the Emmitt Smith scenario. It would seem like a more advantageous career decision for Barber to get out of Dallas as quickly as possible.
However, there is another scenario. The Cowboys offer Barber a healthy contract, deal him to another running back hungry team such as the Atlanta Falcons for top dollar compensation (a first and a third round pick) and use that compensation to reel in the number one pick. Judging by how the coin flip between Atlanta, Kansas City and Oakland goes, the Dolphins could then wind up with the third pick in the draft, the 28th pick in the draft plus their two second rounders plus another selection in the third round. Miami would have six picks in the first three rounds.
If Jerry Jones wants D-Mac that bad, the Dolphins, who have an entire roster to fill, would have no choice but to give him to him.
[More at mvn.com ]
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