Top Trade Packages for Dolphins' Minkah Fitzpatrick at 2025 NFL Trade Deadline

The NFL's trade deadline is a 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, and the Miami Dolphins are prepared to take full advantage of it.

On Monday morning, they sent pass-rusher Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles for a third-round pick, and that might only be the start of their dealing.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Miami is also open to trading Minkah Fitzpatrick.

The safety was reacquired by the Dolphins this year in a deal that sent Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The five-time Pro Bowler has started all nine games this season and should draw the interest of teams needing help on the back end.

Let's examine the most logical landing spots for Fitzpatrick, along with trade packages that might get a deal done.

Cincinnati Bengals

AP Photo/Jeff Dean

Bengals QB Joe Flacco

Cincinnati Bengals Receive: S Minkah Fitzpatrick

Miami Dolphins Receive: Conditional 2026 4th-Round Pick, WR Jermaine Burton

Why Cincinnati Does It

The Cincinnati Bengals can sense their season slipping away. Joe Flacco has allowed the team to maintain a top-tier offense during Joe Burrow's absence. However, a historically bad defense has them staring at a 3-6 record.

The Bengals scored 80 points over their last two games and lost both.

Fitzpatrick is a versatile defensive back who can play either safety spot or in the nickel position. The Bengals desperately need difference-makers on their defense if they're going to have any shot at salvaging their season. They'd find a role for the former AFC North foe.

Why Miami Does It

The Dolphins are clearly approaching a significant rebuild, so any further trades will be about stockpiling for the future. If the Dolphins managed to get a third-round pick out of Phillips, who was on an expiring contract, they'll want a substantial return for Fitzpatrick, who is signed through 2026.

In this deal, the Dolphins would receive a conditional fourth-round pick that could become a third if, say, the Bengals managed to win the AFC North. They'd also add a wide receiver that Cincinnati took in the third round in 2024 but hasn't been able to get onto the field often.

Given the uncertain future of Tyreek Hill, a young receiver with upside would be a smart addition for the Dolphins.

Dallas Cowboys

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Cowboys franchise owner Jerry Jones

Dallas Cowboys Receive: 2026 3rd-Round Pick, S Minkah Fitzpatrick

Miami Dolphins Receive: 2026 2nd-Round Pick, 2026 5th-Round Pick

Why Dallas Does It

Like the Bengals, the Dallas Cowboys have featured a terrific offense with a defense bad enough to keep them out of the postseason. Franchise owner Jerry Jones has stated a willingness to add a player who can help this year and next.

Logically, that should mean adding a player who can aid Dallas' 30th-ranked scoring defense. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus would find a role for Fitzpatrick in the Cowboys' secondary.

They don't have a third-round pick because of their trade for George Pickens. However, the Cowboys could execute a Day-2 pick swap and add a Day-3 selection to help facilitate a deal.

Why Miami Does It

It's all about adding future assets at this point, and there's a non-zero chance the Dolphins could look to move off of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa next year.

He'll have $99.2 million in dead money remaining on his contract after this season, which would make it difficult to part ways. However, the offense isn't working with him behind center, and if Miami dumps head coach Mike McDaniel, Tagovailoa may not be a fit for the incoming system.

Moving up into the second round would give the Dolphins a premium piece of draft capital they could use to chase a quarterback.

Detroit Lions

AP Photo/Ryan Sun

Lions head coach Dan Campbell

Detroit Lions Receive: S Minkah Fitzpatrick

Miami Dolphins Receive: Conditional 2026 3rd-Round Pick

Why Detroit Does It

The Detroit Lions are dealing with injuries again this season and have been particularly tested on the defensive side of the ball. Safety Kerby Joseph and cornerback Avonte Maddox were among the team's inactives for Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

The Lions need additional depth on the back end, and as a team with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, they should want as many defensive standouts as they can get anyway.

Fitzpatrick will only turn 29 later this month and is under contract through next season. Adding him would give the Lions a difference-maker for the next year-and-a-half of their Super Bowl window.

Why Miami Does It

Again, the Dolphins want to add draft capital. Dealing with a team that could legitimately win it all might give Miami an opportunity to get a bit more than it might from another team.

In this hypothetical deal, the Dolphins ask for a conditional third-round pick that can become a second if Detroit reaches the NFC title game—which it did just two years ago.

This deal would also have the added benefit of sending Fitzpatrick out of the conference.

Kansas City Chiefs

AP PhotoAdrian Kraus

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs Receive: S Minkah Fitzpatrick

Miami Dolphins Receive: 2026 3rd-Round Pick, WR Tyquan Thornton

Why Kansas City Does It

While the Kansas City Chiefs might not be in full-on panic mode, they have to be concerned by their 5-4 record. They're behind both the Los Angeles Chargers and the Denver Broncos in the AFC West, which means missing the playoffs is a real possibility.

Adding defensive help would make a ton of sense after failing to contain quarterbacks like Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo might eye Fitzpatrick as a replacement at free safety.

Current Chiefs safety Bryan Cook has allowed an opposing passer rating of 128.1 in coverage this season. Fitzpatrick has allowed an opposing rating of 83.6.

Why Miami Does It

The Dolphins would get a Day-2 draft pick out of this deal, which is the headliner of the trade package. However, they'd also get a 25-year-old receiver with enough speed to stretch the field and enough upside to justify a flier.

Tyquan Thornton entered the NFL as a second-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2022. He never really impressed during his time with the Patriots but made some big plays for the Chiefs early this season.

Thornton has tallied 311 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 22.2 yards per catch this season. However, he's seen a smaller role in the offense since Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice both returned to Kansas City's lineup.

This trade would give Miami a chance to audition Thornton as a potential replacement for Hill.

Philadelphia Eagles

AP Photo/Derik Hamilton

Eagles GM Howie Roseman

Philadelphia Eagles Receive: S Minkah Fitzpatrick

Miami Dolphins Receive: Conditional 2027 3rd-Round Pick, Edge Josh Uche

Why Philadelphia Does It

The Eagles clearly believe they can repeat as Super Bowl champions—with a little defensive help. They've already added Phillips, Jaire Alexander and Michael Carter II to Vic Fangio's squad. Adding another versatile chess piece to the puzzle would be logical.

It would also make some sense long-term, as Philly could lose safety Reed Blankenship in free agency next offseason.

The Eagles would probably have to restructure Fitzpatrick's deal, which will carry a base salary of $15.6 million next season. However, having an extra defensive back under contract would give GM Howie Roseman a little free-agency flexibility.

Why Miami Does It

The Dolphins have already done one deal with the Eagles. Why not another?

The Eagles have a second third-round pick due to their 2024 trade of pass-rusher Haason Reddick. Miami could request that the third-rounder in this deal becomes a second-round pick if Philadelphia does win another Lombardi Trophy.

The Dolphins could also request pass-rusher Josh Uche to help replace Phillips. Uche has appeared in all eight games for the Eagles and has recorded a sack. However, his role is now uncertain with Phillips in the fold for Philadelphia.

*Contract and cap information via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.