Miami Dolphins

Dolphins acquire WR Stills from Saints for LB Ellerbe, 3rd-round pick

Published Mar. 13, 2015 1:22 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Miami Dolphins offense added another weapon Friday afternoon, trading linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and a 2015 third-round pick to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for wide receiver Kenny Stills.

"We are excited that we were able to acquire Kenny Stills," Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey said in a press release. "He is a talented, young and ascending player who has been very productive in his first two seasons in the league."

Stills, 22, was drafted in the fifth round of the 2013 draft out of Oklahoma. He caught 63 passes for 931 yards and three touchdowns last season. He has 95 catches for 1,572 yards and eight touchdowns in two seasons with the Saints.

The move, which comes less than 24 hours after Miami inked former Pro Bowl tight end Jordan Cameron to a two-year deal, gives Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill yet another valuable weapon in his suddenly overflowing arsenal.

With a career average of 16.5 yards per catch, Stills could potentially replace current deep threat Mike Wallace in the passing game if Miami chooses to part ways with their disgruntled No. 1 receiver.

In trading Ellerbe, the Dolphins have also cleared a substantial amount of cap space as Stills, whose still working on his rookie deal, only counts $633,613 against the cap next season. Ellerbe, meanwhile, is set to make $8.425 million in 2015 and would likely have been released had Miami not found a trade partner.

Ellerbe, 29, suffered a season-ending hip injury in Miami's season opener after recording 101 tackles, two interceptions and one sack in 2013.

"We want to thank Dannell for his time with the Dolphins. We wish him the best in New Orleans," said Hickey.

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