According to following newspaper article in Miami, Junior Seau also wants to play for a team that plays the Chargers this season.
Factoring Seau into draft
Dolphins may use late-round pick in trade for LB
BY JASON COLE
[email protected]
FIERY LEADER: Junior Seau would have instant credibility in the Dolphins' locker room.
The Dolphins figure to be on the outside looking in again at the NFL draft, but at least one low-round pick could be useful in acquiring linebacker Junior Seau.
The Dolphins held their annual news conference previewing the draft Wednesday at their training facility in Davie. But even when the event kicks off at noon April 26, the Dolphins will be waiting. Barring a trade, the Dolphins won't select until the second round with the No. 49 overall pick, which figures to be some five hours into the process.
The Dolphins are hoping one of several solid left offensive tackles will be there to fill their need at that position. Otherwise, the Dolphins will rely on the old best-player-available strategy.
But the Dolphins are considering trading one of their later-round picks this year to get San Diego's Seau, according to a team source. They also have one pick in the third round, two in the fifth, two in the sixth and two in the seventh.
Seau said Tuesday he very much wants to play for the Dolphins, and a team source said the Dolphins are very interested and paying close attention to other teams' interest in Seau.
Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt was careful to toe the line on Seau.
''Are we looking into it? Yes, but not because we're disappointed with our guys,'' Wannstedt said. ``At this point, I wouldn't put anymore stock in it one way or another.''
Wannstedt has downplayed the idea of a trade because Seau's contract is ''complicated'' and said last week at the NFL owners' meetings that it was unlikely. But that was before several teams called San Diego about trading for Seau.
Seau's contract has an April 15 payment of $2.7 million that the Dolphins or other teams wouldn't make. After that, the deal has a $3 million base for this season, according to an NFL Players' Association source. In 2004, Seau's salary balloons to $5 million in base salary and $1.5 million in a roster bonus. In 2005, it's $5.5 million in base and another $1.5 million roster bonus. None of the money in 2004 or 2005 is guaranteed.
Seau, 34, an 11-time Pro Bowl selection, has said he wants to play three more years. It is unlikely any team would guarantee him much beyond this season, and the future salaries likely would be restructured.
The Dolphins source said the team probably would be willing to guarantee Seau $3 million this season.
Seau said Tuesday he wants to play for a competitive team and one that plays at San Diego next season. That would give him a chance to prove his former team wrong for letting him go. The Dolphins visit San Diego next season. Green Bay and Arizona, both of which have called the Chargers about trading for Seau, do not.
While the Chargers would like to get a fourth-round pick for Seau, the reality is that he will go where he wants. Any team acquiring him will likely need to restructure his contract and Seau can hold up the deal by not agreeing to restructure.