The Dolphins have granted Minkah Fitzpatrick the opportunity to seek a trade. Here I will go over the top landing spots in the NFL.
Minkah Fitzpatrick is obviously frustrated with his role on the Dolphins. He is probably frustrated with the general state of the franchise as they are the laughing stock of the NFL right now. The Dolphins have granted Fitzpatrick the right to seek out a trade partner. There are plenty of teams that could use a defensive back like Fitzpatrick as he can play any position in the secondary and even dabbles in a bit of linebacker.
In Fitzpatrick’s rookie season Fitzpatrick totaled 80 tackles (51 solo), two tackles for a loss, nine passes defended, two interceptions and a touchdown. The Dolphins, for some strange reason seem comfortable with sending out Bobby McCain and Reshad Jones as the teams starting safeties with Fitzpatrick roaming between corner and third safety, as well as some linebacker. With the talent to help any teams secondary, lets look at the top landing spots.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys biggest weakness on their team is the safety position. They have a franchise quarterback in Dak Prescott, a solid group of receivers in Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and Randall Cobb, a top three running back in Ezekiel Elliott and a stacked offensive. That is only on the offensive side of the ball. On defense they have one of the more consistent defensive ends in Demarcus Lawrence, possibly the best linebacker duo in the league in Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch, solid outside corners in Chidobe Awuzie and Byron Jones but are thin at safety.
The entire NFL seemed well aware of the Cowboys lack of talent at safety, except for the Cowboys. They did virtually nothing in free agency to address the position and ended up rolling out the exact same starters as they did last season, Xavier Woods and Jeff Heath. Xavier Woods seems to have taken his game to the next level but Heath is still a liability. Defensive Coordinator Rob Marinelli wants both of his safeties playing both safety positions which is fine for Fitzpatrick. The Cowboys are a legitimate Super Bowl contender and addressing their weakest position would be smart, especially adding somebody as talented as Fitzpatrick.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks lost long time safety Earl Thomas in a messy divorce this past offseason. They drafted Marquis Blair hoping he would fill the void but he has yet to supplant Tedric Thompson. The Seahawks are in a division that is getting better, the 49ers are 2-0 as well as the Rams, and the Cardinals have a young and exciting new quarterback and group of receivers at the helm.
The Seahawks have a window that seems to be closing soon. K.J. Wright is nearing the end of his deal, Bobby Wagner is almost in his 30’s, if Russell Wilson can not get any protection his career will be shortened, and they already lost Doug Baldwin. They need to add talent to the once feared defense and they could start with signing Fitzpatrick.
New England Patriots
The Patriots and Bill Belichick always seem to find a way to poach excellent talent. Safety just so happens to be a spot where the Patriots are rather thin or aging. Patrick Chung is 32 and has a looming cocaine charge hanging over his head. Devin McCourty is 32 himself although he has started the season solid. Outside of those two they could slide Devin’s brother Jason McCourty to safety but he has proven to be better at the corner position. Duron Harmon is another option but he has not shown anything that really catches your attention. Bringing in Minkah Fitzpatrick would make this already stout defense an elite one with a great chance at yet another Super Bowl.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles high salary cap seems to be a deterrent but Minkah Fitzpatrick is on his rookie deal. The Eagles were the choice by many to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl for 2019. Their secondary just got lit up by the Falcons and Malcolm Jenkins and Randy McLeod are not getting any younger. While the two are still around Fitzpatrick could line up in the slot and be an excellent cover man while also giving the thin linebacker corps some help in run defense. Fitzpatrick would add another element to this defense and keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.
Conclusion
Minkah Fitzpatrick is most definitely on the move. The team who I think should trade for him the most is the Dallas Cowboys as I feel that is where he is the best fit and could make the most difference. Unfortunately I do not think he will land there. My guess would be that the Seahawks after loading up on draft picks, three second rounders, that they land Fitzpatrick to replace the void left by Earl Thomas. I expect it to go down this week, lets see where he lands.
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