The Dolphins began the 1976 season with a trade and the reception of several compensatory draft picks leading up to the NFL Draft. The first of these trades came on April 6th, with the Dolphins sending Linebacker Rodrigo Barnes to the St. Louis Cardinals for a 12th round pick in the forthcoming draft. On the same day, the New York Giants forfeited two 3rd round draft choices (in the 1978 and 1979 Drafts) for signing Fullback Larry Csonka after the World Football League folded.

Two days later, the Dolphins again received a couple of draft choices, as the Cleveland Browns provided the Dolphins with their 3rd and 7thround picks in 1978 for signing Wide receiver Paul Warfield (again after the WFL's collapse). The reception of draft choices continued on April 10th, as the Dolphins received a 1978 12th round pick and a 1979 9thround pick from the Denver Broncos when they signed running back Jim Kiick (the final of the big three WFL defectors from the Dolphins).

I was in Europe at the time, so, I do not know why Csonka and Warfield went to other NFL teams rather than resigning with us. Does anyone remember the situation? Were there hard feelings in Miami?

Joe Robbie thought Csonka's asking price was to high.