The Oakland Raiders need help in the secondary, but should they trade draft capital for Minkah Fitzpatrick?
The Miami Dolphins are on “Team Tank.” This past week, there were multiple reports that multiple players on the Dolphins’ squad requested a trade, and that included 22 year old Minkah Fitzpatrick.
With the loss of Johnathan Abram this past Monday night, Fitzpatrick looks like a tempting target. And he is. The former first round pick a very good player, and phenomenal in the slot. According to Pro Football Focus, Fitzpatrick posted the highest slot cornerback grade when it came to completion percentage allowed and passer rating allowed.
Acquiring Fitzpatrick would allow Lamarcus Joyner to move back to safety, replacing Abram, without sacrificing coverage against the slot.
Fitzpatrick would provide versatility and depth to a Raiders secondary that needs those two things badly. However, he’s not going to come without a cost. Miami hasn’t made their price public, but one would assume that the former first rounder would command an early round price.
The Raiders have two first round picks this upcoming year, but no second rounder. It presents Mayock and Gruden with a poignant question, “Should we give up one of the first round picks?”
My answer to that is “Not just for the player.” To give up a first round pick, the Raiders should ask for a pick back. They could offer the first rounder from the Bears for the Dolphin’s second round pick and Fitzpatrick (Given those picks may not be far apart).
Another answer would be to move on from Karl Joseph, and involve him in the trade. There were rumors last year of him being on-the-outs in Oakland, but he remained on the team, and started this year. Joseph plus a third might be enough, even though that is doubtful.
Here’s what I know about the NFL, if a player wants out, a deal will usually come about. And as glorious as starting 2020 with Abram and Fitzpatrick on the Raiders defense, the price has to be right for both teams.
All in all, I don’t think Fitzpatrick winds up a Raider. The Raiders have too many holes, still, to give up draft capital for just one player.