New Orleans Saints wide receiver Kenny Stills (84) runs after a catch against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half of the 2013 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field. The New Orleans Saints won the game 26-24.Joe Camporeale
One trade Friday gave the Miami Dolphins two things they badly needed: more cap space and an established receiver.
The Dolphins acquired Kenny Stills from the New Orleans Saints for veteran linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and a 2015 third-round draft pick.
Stills started only six games last year but had 63 receptions for 931 yards and three touchdowns. Miami had little cap space after signing defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh to a $114-million deal this week, and Stills is a relative bargain because he's due to make only $585,000 this year.
Ellerbe, a six-year veteran, played in only one game last season due to a hip injury, and he was a target to be released by Miami before the trade. He was due to make $8.4-million this season in the third year of a five-year deal, but agreed to a restructuring of his contract with New Orleans.
Ellerbe signed with the Dolphins in 2013 when Jeff Ireland was their general manager. Ireland now oversees college scouting for the Saints.
"Super excited bout joining my new team!!!" Ellerbe tweeted. "Can't wait to ball this year!!!"
Stills, who is only 22, shores up a position depleted in recent weeks with Miami's release of Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson to purge payroll. The Dolphins must decide whether to keep, cut or trade disgruntled receiver Mike Wallace, who is due to make $9.9 million this year.
Stills, who has blossomed after being drafted in the fifth round in 2013, provides a deep threat that might make Wallace expendable. The speedy Stills, whose father and uncle also played in the NFL, had just 32 catches as a rookie in 2013, but averaged 20 yards per receptions and scored five times.
"Oh my boy KSTiLLS ... It's a movie every Sunday," new Miami teammate Jarvis Landry tweeted.
The Dolphins, trying to end a six-year playoff drought, added another target for Ryan Tannehill on Thursday when they signed tight end Jordan Cameron.
The Saints, 7-9 last year, have been not only shuffling their roster but also stockpiling draft choices. With the pick from Miami, the Saints have two picks in the first round, one in the second, two in the third, two in the fifth and one each in the sixth and seventh, giving them nine overall.