Kenny Stills to Dolphins: Latest Trade Details, Comments and Reaction

The New Orleans Saints are down another primary pass-catcher after trading wide receiver Kenny Stills to the Miami Dolphins on Friday.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com reported the details: 

Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

Saints Senior VP of Communications Greg Bensel confirmed the details of the trade.

Stills was a fifth-round draft pick but stepped forward to make an immediate impact with the Saints from his rookie year on. After averaging 20 yards per catch in more limited action during his maiden pro campaign, the 22-year-old hauled in 63 receptions for 931 yards and three touchdowns last year.

Nathan Zegura of ClevelandBrowns.com used some advanced numbers to accentuate how productive Stills has been:

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller felt any team needing an offensive playmaker should have sought out Stills in a trade:

Indeed, the modest draft status will allow Miami to ride out the rest of Stills' rookie contract with minimal cost. Although he'll be due a bigger payday eventually if he continues on his promising path, Stills presents tremendous value.

Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap reported that the trade would save Miami over $5 million towards the salary cap.

Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports believes the deal will work out well for the Dolphins: 

This is tough news for the Saints, whose dire salary-cap situation has resulted in quite a roster shakeup. They released veteran running back Pierre Thomas, a known receiving asset out of the backfield, and dealt away superstar tight end Jimmy Graham to Seattle.

Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald reported that Brees may not have been happy with Stills, which facilitated the trade:

Meanwhile, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reported that Stills work ethic was the subject of concern in New Orleans.

Rumors of Saints quarterback Drew Brees' demise seem premature, but that speculation may come to fruition if he keeps losing so many key weapons.

Stills has the skills to be a perennial 1,000-yard receiver. New Orleans may regret letting him go, even if it means saving money in the years to come.

The Dolphins have to feel great about welcoming Stills to the fold. He can blow the top off defenses with his speed, is dangerous after the catch and has shown rare proficiency when he's been targeted thanks to his exceptional route-running ability.