Division trades are rare across the NFL.

But there’s more than one reason it has been 15 years since the Miami Dolphins haven’t made a meaningful one with the Patriots.

The other:  Wes Welker

Back in 2007, Miami shipped the crafty slot receiver to New England for a second round pick.

We all know how that worked out.

Welker was part of a Patriots team that dominated the division for six memorable seasons.

He’d make five consecutive Pro Bowls and hoist the Lombardi Trophy.  Before moving on to Denver in 2013, he’d catch 903 passes for 9,924 yards and 50 touchdowns.

As for Miami, they’d surprise the league their first year without Welker and made a Wild Card bid with Chad Pennington under center.

But success was fleeting.

The franchise would miss the postseason the rest of Welker’s years with the Patriots.

The guy they drafted with the second rounder?

 Center Samson Satele would play just two years in Miami before getting discarded to Oakland.

He’d end up on four rosters over seven years before wrapping an uneventful career.

How did this happen?

Welker, like Parker, was underutilized during his final season with Miami and wasn’t deemed a great fit under then-new coach Nick Saban.

That’s where the similarities end though.

Parker is more than 3 years older than Welker was at the point he was shipped to New England. Parker also has a mounting history of games missed, playing just 10 games in 2021.

The Dolphins can only hope history doesn’t repeat itself.