What a Seahawks trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick would look like

With the Seahawks getting burned at home in the passing game last week by Cincinnati, should they be looking to pursue the versatile defensive back?

In short, for the Seahawks the answer is yes. Minkah Fitzpatrick left the Alabama Crimson Tide as a true Junior. He finished his illustrious three year collegiate career with 9 interceptions, 16 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks and 2 national championships. Draft analysts believed if Fitzpatrick were to drop to the right team, he has a chance to be something truly special.

Fitzpatrick was the 11th overall pick just 2 years ago where he was lauded as a true single high safety. In his rookie year he started all 16 games, totaling 80 tackles, 9 passes defended and 2 interceptions. He also showed his versatility throughout the rookie campaign logging snaps at safety, corner and the nickel.

The Dolphins entered the 2019 season with arguably the weakest roster in the NFL. They further depleted their roster (and bolstered their draft capital) by trading Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills to the Houston Texans in a blockbuster move to acquire 2 first-round draft picks and a second-round pick. This leaves an already poor offensive unit devoid of its anchor and offensive line leader.

The team appears to be tanking in an effort to pull an NFL version of the 76ers “The Process.”  This effort emboldens the organization to make moves to acquire draft picks, draft capital is viewed as gold as the organization attempts to restart the process from scratch in building the team. Reports surfaced after a disastrous opening game blowout against the Ravens that players were contacting their agents demanding they get out of Miami. Earlier this week Chris Mortenson posted that Minkah Fitzpatrick has been given permission to seek a trade partner.

Fitzpatrick to Seahawks

This is where Seattle comes in, especially after the disastrous secondary play shown against the Bengals last week. The Seahawks have clear holes at the safety and slot cornerback. Tedric Thompson over his three year career has done little to inspire confidence. I believe rookies Ugo Amadi and Marquise Blair will have the potential for illustrious careers with the Seahawks. However, I think Blair and Amadi needs a year or two under their belt before seeing ample action on the field. This would allow Fitzpatrick to slide in right away.

Coach Pete Carroll has shown that he is a magician with getting the most out of secondary players. Whether it be Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor as 5th round draft picks, DeShawn Shead and Tre Flowers as safety to cornerback converts or simply getting the most out of Earl Thomas’s potential. If someone was going to get the most out of Fitzpatrick it could very well be coach Carroll.

Coach Carroll also loves versatile weapons on his team. Whether its Michael Bennett who played both interior and exterior defensive line. Or perhaps George Fant who is currently suited up in our jumbo package as a plus size blocking tight end. However, Minkah Fitzpatrick’s role fits closer to Deshawn Shead.

Fitzpatrick and Shead each have played everything from slot corner, outside corner, to free and strong safety. Their football IQs are absolutely off the charts allowing them to fill in anywhere in the secondary with a firm understanding of what to do. They both fit the jack of all, master of none motto. However, I am a firm believer that coach Carroll will be able to find his true niche and give the base needed for Fitzpatrick to bud into a star.

Trade proposals

Reports have come out stating the Dolphins asking price is too high to take seriously, indicating they would need to be blown away to make a trade. This will not be a situation like the Jadeveon Clowney trade where we can steal the player away from a team that just wants to get rid of him. However, a trade that sends an early day two pick in 2020 and a mid-round pick in 2021 could do the trick.

The trade I would propose would be:

Seahawks trade:

2020 Chiefs 2nd round pick

2021 Seahawks 4th round pick

Dolphins trade:

Minkah Fitzpatrick

Trading for Fitzpatrick would give the Seahawks 3-4 years of control of the player under the scaled rookie deal. As John P. Gilbert noted, the Dolphins have already paid the signing bonus for Fitzpatrick making his contract equal to roughly a 3rd round draft pick cap hit wise for the trading team. This would allow coach Carroll to do what he does at a reasonable cost.

In return the Seahawks trade two draft picks, the lower between the Chiefs and their own pick in the 2020 second round, as well as a 2021 fourth round pick. If the above trade were to occur today the ‘Hawks would have:

2020 NFL Draft

1st round pick (own)

2nd round pick (own)

3rd round pick (comp)

4th round pick (own)

4th round pick (comp)

5th round pick (own)

6th round pick (comp)

7th round pick (comp)

This is not to mention the potential stash of comp pick the Hawks could very well have coming their way this upcoming off season. Some big names hitting the free agency include, Jadeveon Clowney, Ezekiel Ansah, Jarran Reed, Mychal Kendricks, and Germain Ifedi. A lot can change over the course of the season to increase or diminish free agent value. However, teams have shown they are more than willing to pay for proficient pass rushers.

Defensive tackles values are on the rise. If Mychal Kendricks avoids jail, he is truly a unit talent that can lineup in all 3 linebacker spots. Lastly, teams have shown time and time again they will pay big money for semi competent offensive tackle. Ja’Wuan James got a massive 4 year deal out of the Broncos.

Spending some draft capital now has the potential to solidify our defensive back group for years to come. There is more than enough opportunity to recoup the picks lost in the upcoming year making this a potential no brainer of a move.