TRADE ALERT: Saints acquire Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso

According to multiple sources and first broken by Herbie Teope of The Times-Picayune Sunday morning, the Miami Dolphins have traded linebacker Kiko Alonso to the New Orleans Saints. According to Adam Schefter of the NFL Network, New Orleans is sending outside linebacker Vince Biegel to Miami in exchange for Alonso.

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The 29-yr. old Alonso was originally a 2nd round draft choice of the Buffalo Bills in 2013 out of Oregon. He was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason of 2015, where he played for one season before being dealt to the Dolphins. Alonso has played the last three years in Miami, where he was the centerpiece of a Dolphin defense and among the league leaders in tackles. He has averaged over 100 tackles per year in five seasons (missing 2014 with injury), intercepting 10 passes, forcing 7 fumbles, recovering 7 fumbles, and amassing 3 sacks in his career.

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The Dolphins roster purge continues with the jettisoning of Alonso, while New Orleans adds a versatile piece to their defense. The 6'3 239-lb. Alonso can play either inside or outside spots, and has good sideline to sideline skills. He is in the third year of his current contract, and stands to make a base salary of just under 6.5 million over each of the last two years of his current deal. Alonso is coming off his best season though, recording a career best 125 tackles with 3 interceptions, six passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. His addition bolsters a linebacker unit that already has the dominant Demario Davis, but does have some questions after recent injuries to Alex Anzalone and Craig Robertson that could put their immediate status in doubt.