The Miami Dolphins continued their offseason makeover of their defense, announcing that the team had acquired linebacker Kiko Alonso, cornerback Byron Maxwell, and the No. 13 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, in exchange for the Dolphins' No. 8 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft.
Several outlets reported that the trade nearly was rescinded due to concerns over Maxwell's health.
"I’ll be fine," said Maxwell. "Like I said I passed physicals both with Philadelphia and with Miami. So I’m ready to go.”
Maxwell joined the Eagles as an unrestricted free agent on March 10, 2015 and finished tied for second on the team with two interceptions. He totaled 64 tackles (53 solo), forced two fumbles and recovered a fumble in 2015. Among all NFL players, Maxwell is tied for eighth with nine interceptions since 2013 (including playoffs).
Maxwell played four seasons for the Seattle Seahawks (2011-14) and started at cornerback in Super Bowls XLVIII and XLIX. He posted 12 passes defensed in both 2013 and 2014 and totaled seven interceptions in his final two seasons in Seattle, including an interception in the NFC Championship Game against Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Maxwell said he is looking forward to returning to his specialty with Miami, aggressive press coverage.
"They plan on using me to my strengths as a press corner," said Maxwell. "But mostly we are approaching this year with a positive attitude. We go into it together and we plan on doing special things here at the Dolphins.”
The real prize of the trade for Miami is Alonso, who potentially could be a dynamic playmaker at linebacker.
Alonso played in 11 games for the Eagles in 2015, totaling 45 tackles (35 solo) and one interception in his lone season in Philadelphia. The Eagles acquired him from the Buffalo Bills in a trade on March 10, 2015. He missed the 2014 season due to injury.
The Pro Football Writers’ Association NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2013, Alonso played all 1,145 snaps the Buffalo defense had that season. He started all 16 games and totaled 159 tackles and four interceptions, becoming just first rookie since 1989 to record 150-plus total tackles and four-plus interceptions in a season. Alonso entered the league as a second-round pick (46th overall) by the Buffalo Bills in 2013.
By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
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