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May 3, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin oversees drills during Steelers rookie mincamp and orientation at the UPMC Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Home » Blog » Minkah Fitzpatrick trade: 5 teams that make sense

Minkah Fitzpatrick trade: 5 teams that make sense

Matt Verderame NFL

The Miami Dolphins are tanking like none other. Now players want out, including star cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick, 22, is signed through the next three seasons on the cheap before having a fifth-year option on the tail end of his rookie deal. With news coming out of Fitzpatrick wanting out, teams will be lined up for his services.

Here are five teams that should be calling (exempting the Dallas Cowboys, who have already been linked).

5. Chicago Bears

This might seem like an embarrassment of riches, but the Bears can use some help in the secondary. Chicago lost slot cornerback Bryce Callahan in free agency to the Denver Broncos this offseason. While the Bears acquired Buster Skrine as a replacement, he’s not the player he once was with the Cleveland Browns. Chicago is strapped against the cap, but Fitzpatrick is on a cheap deal. Using the second-round selection they received from the Oakland Raiders in the Khalil Mack trade, perhaps Chicago could tempt the Dolphins into a trade.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are trying to fend off the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns in the AFC North, and the secondary is one of the biggest weaknesses. After signing Steven Nelson to a three-year, $27 deal in March, the Steelers have a pair of reliable corners in Nelson and Joe Haden. Still, Fitzpatrick would quickly become the most talented and versatile of the group. Pittsburgh doesn’t have its second-round pick so creativity would be the order of the day, but a deal could still be struck.

3. Los Angeles Chargers

With Trevor Williams out for the season with a quad injury, and Derwin James out 3-4 months with a fractured foot, the Chargers need help in the secondary. Fitzpatrick can fill either role, giving the Chargers ample reason to consider making the move. Los Angeles has all its draft capital and with Philip Rivers turning 38 years old this December, it might be time to go all-in.

2. New Orleans Saints

New Orleans traded for cornerback Eli Apple last season and didn’t get the return it was hoping for. The Saints need to add some talent on the back end, and Fitzpatrick would be an enormous get. If the Big Easy is going to see the Lombardi Trophy make a return trip, general manager Mickey Loomis has to consider all options.

1. Kansas City Chiefs

This is the most obvious fit. The Chiefs have ample cap space and a dire need to build up the defense. Kansas City has talented safeties in Tyrann Mathieu and Juan Thornhill, but the corners are more of a question mark with Kendall Fuller, Bashaud Breeland (both free agents after this season) and Charvarius Ward. Fitzpatrick would bolster the unit and give the Chiefs more firepower against the New England Patriots in the race for AFC supremacy.

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