Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills traded to Texans for 2 1st round picks, more

The Miami Dolphins announced Sunday that they have dealt offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Kenny Stills to the Houston Texans in a major trade involving multiple draft picks.

ESPN Adam Schefter Terms of the blockbuster deal were first announced on Saturday.

This decision is surprising considering an August 24 report from Barry Jackson and Adam Beasley of Miami Herald suggested that Tunsil stay in Miami:

“Amid published reports that Tunsil was involved in trade discussions, the Dolphins assured Tunsil’s camp that there was no truth to it, according to a league source with direct knowledge.

“Several teams inquired about Tunsil, believing that the Dolphins were willing to trade established veteran players for draft picks. The Dolphins responded to these calls, but in Tunsil’s case, did not follow through until ‘now.”

Beasley also spoke with a source on August 29 who said “guys would legitimately revolt” if the team traded Tunsil.

However, the trade winds continued to blow and Armando Salguero Miami Herald wrote on Aug. 29 that the Houston Texans wanted Tunsil in a potential deal that would send outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney to Miami.

Ultimately, Tunsil ended up in Houston following the surprising move, ending the 25-year-old’s three-season tenure with the Fins.

After starting at left guard in 2016, the former Ole Miss star moved to left tackle, where he protects from the blind side. He has played and started 44 career games in total.

The Pro Football Writers Association named Tunsil to its All-Rookie team in 2016, and Focus on professional football named him the best rookie goalie in the league.

The arrow is up with Tunsil, as PFF also gave him their best overall, run-block and pass-block grades in 2018.

Tunsil’s professional career got off to an inauspicious start when a video of him smoking through a gas mask surfaced on the night of the 2016 NFL Draft. This was in addition to allegations that Tunsil took money while still at Ole Miss (he later admitted as much).

The former top prospect fell down the draft boards, but the Dolphins scooped him up at 13th overall.

However, Miami will need a new blindside protector for the foreseeable future with Tunsil now a Texan.

Houston now adds a much-needed left tackle to protect franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson while also adding a reliable wideout in Stills. The 27-year-old receiver has played in all but two games during his six-year NFL career averaging 689.7 receiving yards per season.

This could take some pressure off DeAndre Hopkins and make the passing attack even more dangerous in Houston.