The Miami Dolphins made several moves this week to change the roster. Tyreek Hill was among a couple of players who got the pink slip, along with Bradley Chubb, while Tua Tagovailoa is likely up next.
The fire sale taking place has cast doubts about the safety of Minkah Fitzpatrick’s future with the organization. Fitzpatrick, 30, is entering the final year of his deal. The 8-year veteran has a cap number of $18.8 million. Earlier this week, NFL Insider Jordan Schutlz said the Dolphins are fielding calls from “multiple teams” for Fitzpatrick’s services.
Miami has little leverage at this juncture. Teams trading for Fitzpatrick would likely only need to give up a conditional Day 3 pick, given his age, contract, and the situation.
The San Francisco 49ers need a safety who can contribute right away. Upgrading from the starters last season wouldn’t be difficult by using a pick early in the draft, but there’s no guarantee the rookie will transition and be ready Day 1. That’s where Fitzpatrick comes into play.
Teams might wait to see whether the Dolphins release Fitzpatrick, but if he’s a player you covet and believe can improve your roster, sending a draft pick is worth it.
Fitzpatrick did suffer a calf strain in 2025 that kept him from playing in the final three games of the season. He didn’t miss any games in 2024, but missed four games in 2023 due to a hamstring strain and the final three games of that season due to a knee injury.
As far as the player goes, we’re talking about one of the best to play the position since Kyle Shanahan has been a head coach. Fitzpatrick had six tackles for loss last season, five pass breakups, while allowing a completion percentage of 56. He’s seen it all, and the processing Fitzpatrick displays supports that.
Fitzpatrick can line up all over the place, which is necessary in today’s day and age. During the first half of the season, the Dolphins used Fitzpatrick as the high safety 50 percent of the time, compared to around 27 percent in the slot. During the final seven games, Fitzpatrick was used 45 percent in the slot, and only 32.5 percent as the high safety.
Overall, Fitzpatrick lined up at free safety for 333 snaps, in the slot 289 snaps, as a linebacker 97 snaps, on the edge 43 times, and another four as a box safety. Fitzpatrick would allow Malik Mustapha to stay in the box.
He was at his best statistically as a high safety, allowing a passer rating of 50.5. His knowledge could also go a long way with Mustapha, Ji’Ayir Brown, Marques Sigle, and whichever other safety the team elects to draft.
It would make sense for the 49ers to add a veteran in the secondary this season, so the team isn’t making the rookie-type mistakes they did in 2025. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better veteran than Fitzpatrick if the Dolphins make him available.
About the Author: Insidethe49
