NFL Trade Rumors: Miami Dolphins Are Serious About Trading Ronnie Brown

ESPN's Adam Schefter and Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports, as well as several other new outlets, have reported that Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown is on the trading block and that Miami is serious about making a deal happen. 

The Dolphins are seeking a mid-level draft pick in exchange for the former All-Pro, which may come as a surprise to some. But it looks doubtful he's in the team's long-term plans after this season anyway.

A mid-round pick doesn't appear to be a good value for a player of Brown's quality, but there are several factors at play.

Brown is a restricted free agent this season and has been given a first-round tender by the Dolphins, but has yet to sign the offer sheet. He's coming off Lisfranc surgery and might not be ready to play by the time training camp starts, and while he's expected to make a full recovery an injury of this nature takes time to heal and could develop into a recurring problem.

The reality is that Miami might be better served cutting ties with Brown before another injury destroys his value entirely. A mid-round pick doesn't sound like much, but it's better than nothing. 

The oft-injured running back is one of the best in the game when healthy. He's a powerful combination of strength and speed most noted for his successful production out of Miami's infamous Wildcat formation. 

At 28 years old, Brown is just now entering his prime, but there are serious concerns his body just won't hold up much longer. He's made it through an entire season just once in his six-year career and has had three serious injuries over that time. 

Since being drafted second overall in the 2005 draft, Brown has been a staple of the Dolphins offense and arguably their most productive player over that stretch. 

His trade could be related to pursuits of C.J. Spiller in this year's draft; the Dolphins are rumored to be very interested in him . 

If that's the case, it would be better served for both parties to end the relationship now rather than drag it out through the offseason. 

Talk will heat up closer to the draft, but it appears the Dolphins are very serious about making a move. Bill Parcells doesn't have a very high tolerance for players with health concerns. Look no further than Brown's teammate Justin Smiley for proof of that. 

Smiley was signed as a free agent two seasons ago and has been a very productive member of Miami's offensive line. But he's struggled to stay healthy and for that reason has been on the trading block for over a month.