Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that the Cleveland Browns are potential trade partners with the Miami Dolphins for WR Davone Bess. Sports Illustrated draft insider Tony Pauline reports that there is a “99.9 % chance” the deal gets done.
Supposedly the Oakland Raiders are another team that has shown interest in Bess, and if they were the team to complete the trade, Bess would be playing in his home town. So far, the only details about what Miami would get in return are reported as possible mid-round draft picks.
Lately the buzz around the Dolphins has been the trade negotiations with the Kansas City Chiefs for LT Branden Albert. Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland has leveraged himself with draft picks and cap space. so he has options now. This offseason he has been super active in free agency, most notably, the signing of former Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace. However, it was the signing of former St. Louis Rams WR Brandon Gibson that has made Bess expendable.
Bess was an undrafted free agent in 2008 that provided tremendous value, considering the circumstances under which he was acquired. He was somewhat dependable and ran great routes from the slot position.
However, 2010 was his best year. That season he caught 79 passes for 820 yards and 5 TDs. His problem was lack of explosive speed. He had quickness, but lacked burst and breakaway speed. Bess could fake any defender in the league out of his shoes and socks, only he’d probably end up being tackled less than 3 yards away by that same defender.
If the trade to the Browns does materialize, he would serve as a possession receiver and battle for playing time with David Nelson. In Miami, Bess had one year left on his contract and was not expected to be resigned.
Tony Graham is a Miami Dolphin writer for www.RantSports.com.
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