The Miami Dolphins tankathon continues! ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that the Dolphins have granted second-year safety Minkah Fitzpatrick permission to seek a trade. It doesn’t sound like there’s been much interest as teams haven’t been too thrilled with the Dolphin’s first-round pick asking price.
Mortenson said that the Dolphins are not actively shopping Fitzpatrick, but everyone should keep in mind they weren’t actively shopping tackle Laremy Tunsil either.
A first-round pick is quite a hefty price tag, but this is Fitzpatrick’s second year in the NFL. He was taken 11th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft and had a solid year with highlights including picking off Tom Brady. He finished 2018 with two interceptions, and nine passes defended 80 tackles, one touchdown, and 11 starts.
So now it’s time to look at the 49ers. They could use a safety, and Fitzpatrick could be a great addition. While a first-round pick seems like a lot, a team is getting a rookie contract along with a safety that showed promise their rookie season. The production, along with the deal, would be what drives the price up. Still, this can be the street price, and the Dolphins could be open to negotiating.
The 49ers do not have a second-rounder in the 2020 draft since they traded that pick away for Dee Ford. If they were to win the Super Bowl in 2019, they’d pick 32nd so that would almost be like a second-round pick I suppose.
The 49ers do need safety depth, but with Fitzpatrick, it seems like it’s a bit unnecessary. Tarvarius Moore has been lighting things up at free safety while Jimmie Ward recovers from another injury. They could use depth behind Moore if they made him the starter, after all, Jimmie Ward is on a one-year deal.
As far as moving Fitzpatrick around, that’s how all of this mess got started. Fitzpatrick has already commented on how he doesn’t fit strong safety, and he’s not really a cornerback/linebacker either. To spend that capital on a new defensive swiss army knife seems a bit excessive.
But Fitzpatrick is a good player. Small sample size, but a cheap contract for the near-three years left on the deal. Would you look to bring him in?
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