Here's why Broncos should be in on Miami DB Minkah Fitzpatrick

The Miami Dolphins are a team in 'tank mode', and they have given permission for defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick to seek a trade to a different team. Fitzpatrick is a former first-round pick now in his second year.

His rookie year was filled with high points that really showed his potential. Things soured for Fitzpatrick as he has been used in multiple roles and just wants to learn one position going forward, but Miami keeps moving him around.

Since the Week 1 blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens, I have mentioned to my colleagues here at Mile High Huddle that multiple sources have told me Fitzpatrick is available. Additionally, the same sources told me the asking price was a first-round pick.

That could be a steep price for the Broncos to pay, but Benjamin Allbright tweeted confirmation that the Dolphins are asking for a first, but could settle for a second. If Denver offers their 2020 second-round pick, who says no?

Before you start going off about the Broncos giving up a two, hear out the reasons why it would make sense. There are multiple reasons for the Broncos to be 110% in on Fitzpatrick.

To start things off, there's the financial reason. For the 2019 season, Fitzpatrick would cost less than $1.3 million on the cap, and the Broncos would have two more years of him being cost-controlled, plus the fifth-year option. Denver restructured Joe Flacco’s contract and added a bunch of cap room, and acquiring Fitzpatrick wouldn’t do a lot of damage to all that space.

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Another financial reason is, Fitzpatrick can play the free safety role, meaning that Justin Simmons can be allowed to walk after this season. The Broncos would have a replacement on the roster that would have practically a whole season under his belt in the defense.

Not only that, but Denver is set to lose Chris Harris, Jr. and Will Parks after 2019. Losing three defensive backs without any clear replacements can really set a defense back, but Fitzpatrick would lessen that blow.

Vic Fangio runs a defense that is perfect for Fitzpatrick. He can step in and play any number of roles, including corner, which is a concern with Isaac Yiadom’s play and Bryce Callahan's injury.

Sending a second-round pick could be hard to swallow, but Fitzpatrick is better than any safety the Broncos could get with that second-round pick. Plus, as mentioned above, he would have a season basically in the system to replace one of the lost defensive backs instead of relying on a rookie or spending big on a free-agent defensive back.

Bottom line

There are so many reasons for the Broncos to be in on Minkah Fitzpatrick. Scheme fit, future loss at defensive back, money/cost-controlled, draft options and his versatility all make him worth it for the Broncos. This is a move that would also help Denver on special teams. Denver would get a young player that will be 23 in November.

It makes too much sense for the Broncos to not call. Do they actually pull the trigger?

Who knows, but the Broncos have to be talking about it. Denver has had internal discussions about adding a defensive back, and even made calls to other teams to trade for one. With Fitzpatrick available, do they make the call? Time will tell.

Follow Erick on Twitter @ErickTrickel and @MileHighHuddle.

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