Mike Wallace traded to Minnesota

The Dolphins have traded WR Mike Wallace to the Minnesota Vikings for a fifth round draft pick, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Vikings traded 5th-round pick to Miami for WR Mike Wallace and 7th-round pick, per league source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2015

The move comes only two years after Miami awarded Wallace with a $60 million contract, making him one of the highest paid receivers in the NFL.  The speedy wideout was expected to give Ryan Tannehill a prolific target in an anemic Dolphins passing attack, but that potential never materialized, as Wallace failed to eclipse 1,000 yards in either of his two seasons in Miami.

Wallace looked to be on the path to super-stardom as a member of the Steelers, with back to back 1,000 yard seasons in 2010 and 2011, earning a Pro Bowl spot in the latter season.  His 2012 season, however, was a bit of a drop off statistically, and the Steelers decided to award Antonio Brown a long-term deal, allowing Wallace to sign with the Dolphins.

Vikings heralded QB Teddy Bridgewater will now have another target in an unsteady Minnesota passing attack whose leading receiver, Charles Johnson, was on the Browns practice squad at the beginning of last season.

Wallace was allegedly interested in a return to Pittsburgh, but will have to jump-start his career in Minnesota.  Luckily for Wallace, a young quarterback and lack of depth at the receiver position in Minnesota could signal changing tides in his recently declining career arch.

The Ole Miss product certainly demonstrated ability in the past, and a fifth round pick is a relatively small price to pay for a player who possesses Wallace's potential.  Perhaps a fresh start will reinvigorate Mike Wallace.