The San Francisco 49ers have announced that the team is trading recently re-signed center Daniel Kilgore to the Miami Dolphins. San Francisco and Miami are swapping seventh-round draft picks as part of the deal, according to Albert Breer of The MMQB. As a result, the 49ers move up four spots in the round.
49ers and Dolphins swap 7th-rounder in the Kilgore trade. SF signed Weston Richburg to a 5-year, $47.5 million deal the other day, so Kilgore's already been replaced at an enormously important spot in Kyle Shanahan's scheme.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 15, 2018
Kilgore, who must pass a physical for the trade to be executed, signed a three-year extension worth $11.78 million with $7.05 million guaranteed on February 14.
The trade ends the debate on who will start at center for the 49ers in 2018. San Francisco signed free agent center Weston Richburg to a five-year deal worth up to $47.5 million on Wednesday. While Richburg has experience at guard, his natural position is center.
"On behalf of the entire organization I want to thank Dan for everything he contributed to this team and the Bay Area community over the last seven seasons," said general manager John Lynch via a statement issued by the team. "When Kyle and I arrived last offseason, we knew right away that he was a well-respected leader in the locker room and a true professional. We are pleased to be able to help find Dan a great situation to be able to continue his career, and we wish him and his wife, Megan, the very best."
The trade comes just a month after Kilgore signed his extension with the 49ers. Breer notes that the 49ers structured Kilgore's deal so that his first bonus would not be due until the third day of the league year (Friday), which protected the team should they want to trade him. Lynch had the following to say about Kilgore after he was re-signed in February.
"He is very much a leader of this team, and his hard work and commitment to our success provide a great example for our young team," said Lynch via a statement. "When you come across players who love the game like Dan you do your best to keep them in your building."
The 49ers made Kilgore a fifth-round draft pick out of Appalachian State in 2011. He started a career-high 16 games last season. Kilgore ranked 23rd out of 35 centers to kick off the season, according to Pro Football Focus. However, he had a strong finish, was a top 10 center, and didn't allow a sack or quarterback hit during the 49ers' final five games of the season.
At the end of the 2017 season, Kilgore was named the winner of the Bobb McKittrick Award, which is given annually to the 49ers offensive lineman who best represents the courage, intensity, and sacrifice.
In 2016, Kilgore started 13 games for San Francisco before being placed on injured reserve on December 13, 2016. During his seven-year career with the 49ers, Kilgore has appeared in 74 games and started 39. He has also appeared in six postseason games.