The Dolphins made a blockbuster deal for Broncos edge rusher Bradley Chubb on Tuesday, and they weren’t done. Miami also acquired running back Jeff Wilson Jr. from the 49ers, sending a 2023 fifth-round pick to San Francisco.
Wilson is the second former 49ers running back added by the Dolphins this year. Miami signed Raheem Mostert in March and now reunites Wilson with his former offensive coordinator, Mike McDaniel.
Despite the Dolphins’ offensive success this season, the running game hasn’t been a strength. Mostert has started to give Miami some more production on the ground in recent weeks, but with Chase Edmonds headed to Denver in the Chubb deal, the Dolphins added another option ahead of what they hope will be a playoff push.
The 49ers used Wilson often early this season, inserting him as their primary replacement for the injured Elijah Mitchell, but he became expandable after San Francisco’s deal for Christian McCaffrey. Wilson received only six touches in the 49ers’ Week 8 win.
Jeff Wilson Jr. trade details
The Dolphins were able to pry Wilson away from the 49ers with only a Day 3 pick.
- Dolphins receive: RB Jeff Wilson Jr.
- 49ers receive: 2023 fifth-round pick
The 49ers are restocking their draft arsenal just a bit after trades depleted their stockpile. San Francisco doesn’t have a first- or second-round pick in April’s draft, but the organization does now have four picks in the first five rounds.
The 49ers traded RB Jeff Wilson to the Dolphins for a 2023 fifth-round pick. That gets San Francisco back to four picks in the first five rounds in April—two comp thirds (one for McDaniel, one for Saleh/Mayhew), their own fifth, and the Dolphins’ fifth.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 1, 2022
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The Dolphins have now traded three draft picks ahead of the deadline, after sending a 2023 first-rounder and 2024 fourth-rounder to the Broncos in the deal for Chubb. Miami also landed a 2025 fifth-round pick in the trade with Denver.
The first-rounder the Dolphins sent to the Broncos originally belonged to the 49ers.
Jeff Wilson Jr. contract
Wilson is playing out a one-year, $1.085 million contract he signed with the 49ers in March and is set to be a free agent after the season.
RB Jeff Wilson was such a good member of the 49ers. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel valued him enough for his team to part ways with a fifth-round pick. Wilson is under contract only through this season.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) November 1, 2022
Though running backs don’t easily land lucrative contracts, Wilson has an opportunity to build his value if he takes on a major role in the Dolphins’ backfield.
