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With the Miami Dolphins being, well, terrible, news came out after their week one embarrassment that certain players on the roster requested to be traded:
“Multiple” Dolphins players called their agents to request trades after Miami's 59-10 loss, per @ProFootballTalk pic.twitter.com/AJL6sCJWnn
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) September 9, 2019
As it turns out, the report was true as stud defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick has been allowed a chance to look for a trade partner:
The Dolphins have granted permission to DB Minkah Fitzpatrick to seek a trade, according to multiple sources who say Miami's asking price is too high. Dolphins have no comment. Story coming with help from @CameronWolfe
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) September 13, 2019
The price wont be cheap as Fitzpatrick was the 11th-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, but some team very well could land a steal by securing the 22-year-old’s services. According to Ben Allbright, here’s the potential price:
Source says Phins asking for a 1st for M Fitzpatrick but will likely settle for a 2nd.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) September 13, 2019
Apparently, Fitzpatrick wants out because of the Dolphins’ inability to use him in one spot where he excels (nickel cornerback) and instead had him learn the responsibilities of both safety spots, boundary cornerback, nickel cornerback, and two linebacker spots. While his versatility is insane and a large positive, asking a young ascending star to bounce around at such a rapid rate is ridiculous, making his trade request all the more reasonable.
Fitzpatrick is already one of the better nickel cornerback’s in the league, with the potential to be a superstar defender for the next decade plus. Ironically enough, adding Fitzpatrick would be insanely cheap on the cap as the Dolphins already ate a lot of his total dollar amount:
Notes if Minkah Fitzpatrick were traded:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 13, 2019
* Under contract through 2021 (plus a fifth-year option)
* Base salary/cap hit in 2019-2021: $1.23M, $1.98M and $2.27M
* Just 22 years old
* Can play either safety spot and slot cornerback
* Recorded 80 tackles, 9 PD and 2 INT as a rookie
With cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters in contract years, Nickell Robey-Coleman only being under contract for one more season, and safety Eric Weddle aging and potentially being a cap casualty in 2020, the Rams could make the move to add to one of the best defensive back rooms in football.
I vehemently understand there currently isn’t a space for Fitzpatrick as the Rams’ secondary is pretty solidified, especially with rookie Taylor Rapp coming off the bench as a third safety, though the Rams could continue to add to one of the best young nucleus’ in the league in their secondary.
Adding a star player for a discounted price is good business. Adding a young and versatile player who’s raved about by every coach and teammate surrounding him is better business. And adding a 22-year-old future superstar for pennies on the cap is the best business available.
This is why 31 teams should be interested in adding a player like Minkah Fitzpatrick.