Branden Albert is likely to sign with the Dolphins when free agency officially begins on Tuesday, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Albert, 29, was the Chiefs first-round-pick in 2008, and as Florio notes, was nearly traded to the Dolphins last offseason.
The Dolphins need to rebuild a porous offensive line, and they essentially need four starters to team with center Mike Pouncey. The unit was decimated by the controversies relating to Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito, neither of whom is expected to return to Miami. The Chiefs, meanwhile, will fill Albert’s shoes at left tackle with either Eric Fisher or Donald Stephenson, with the other manning the right tackle position.
Other news from the AFC:
- Offensive lineman Tyson Clabo is expected to hit the free agent market, and there is “real interest” from teams around the league, tweets Adam Beasely of the Miami Herald. Clabo started 15 games last season for the Dolphins.
- The Titans are still talking with cornerback Alterraun Verner, but it is unlikely he will return to Tennessee, according to the Tennessean’s Jim Wyatt (via Twitter).
- As of Sunday afternoon, the Browns had not contacted safety Jairus Byrd, writes Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Browns are widely expected to express interest in Byrd, who played under new Cleveland head coach Mike Pettine with the Bills.
- The Patriots expect both cornerback Aqib Talib and receiver Julian Edelman to come back to them with any free agent offers and give the team the opportunity to match, notes Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com.