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MIAMI DOLPHINS
Julius Thomas

Dolphins to acquire TE Julius Thomas from Jaguars in trade

USA TODAY Sports
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Julius Thomas (80) catches a pass against the Buffalo Bills during NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium.

The Miami Dolphins appear to have made one of the first substantial moves of the NFL offseason.

The Dolphins agreed to acquire tight end Julius Thomas from the Jacksonville Jaguars in a trade, a person familiar with the deal told USA TODAY Sports' Tom Pelissero. The person spoke on condition of anonymity since the deal was not official, as Thomas was approved to visit the Dolphins and take a physical.

The Miami Herald was the first to report the deal, noting that the Jaguars are expected to receive a 2017 late-round draft pick. Trades cannot become official until the start of the new league year on March 9.

Thomas had just 30 catches for 281 yards and four touchdowns last season for Jacksonville while being to limited just nine games after fracturing his tailbone. After signing a five-year, $46 million contract with the team in 2015, Thomas recorded just 76 catches for 736 yards and nine touchdowns.

But the trade would reunite the tight end with Dolphins coach Adam Gase, who served as the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos from 2013-14 when Thomas caught a combined 24 touchdowns and went to two Pro Bowls. Dolphins tight ends Jordan Cameron, Dion Sims and Dominique Jones are all set to become free agents.

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Offensive tackle Branden Albert will also be sent from the Dolphins to the Jaguars in a separate trade, according to multiple reports. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Albert started 12 games for the Dolphins last season. His departure clears the way for 2016 first-round pick Laremy Tunsil to start at left tackle.

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