Minkah Fitzpatrick should be obvious Buccaneers target

With the current depth situation in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety group, trading for Minkah Fitzpatrick of the Miami Dolphins is a worthwhile pursuit.

In the midst of the Thursday Night Football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers, 2018 first round pick of the Miami Dolphins, Minkah Fitzpatrick, has received permission from the team to pursue a trade to avoid being a part of a tanking franchise. For a multitude of reasons, the safety/cornerback hybrid should be squarely in the sights of the Buccaneers.

Given the current situation at the safety position for the Buccaneers, general manager Jason Licht and head coach Bruce Arians should not hesitate to trade for the second year defensive star out of Alabama. Besides, they did pass on Los Angeles Chargers’ safety Derwin James, so this could be a way to rectify the situation.

Even if it costs the Buccaneers their 2020 first round pick, their current depth at the safety position requires a much needed upgrade. Yes, last year’s sixth rounder Jordan Whitehead has should immense improvements and looks like a heat seeking missile, and third rounder Mike Evans is getting acclimated nicely to the next level. Justin Evans is no longer a reliable or dependable option for the pewter and red as he cannot stay on the field.

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However, as the NFL is moving towards a pass-heavy league, the big nickel defensive package, meaning three safeties remain on the field, is becoming more of a base formation for NFL teams. Adding Fitzpatrick would give the Buccaneers a variety of looks for defensive coordinator Todd Bowles to tinker with the much improved defense.

If Fitzpatrick were to become a Buc, then the obvious defensive look to give would be to play either him or Edwards as the nickel safety in this big nickel, while the other plays deep over the top. Whitehead has proven thus far to be an efficient box safety in Bowles’ defense, so keeping him in that role is looking like a wise choice for the pewter and red defense.

During his rookie campaign for the Dolphins, Fitzpatrick recorded two interceptions, one defensive touchdown, 51 solo tackles, and two tackles for loss. Through one game this year, Fitzpatrick has tallied three solo tackles against the Baltimore Ravens.

Licht has never been shy about trading away future assets to acquire talent, however this talent in Fitzpatrick would have to come at a high price. Will the Bucs be the team to pull the trigger with their in-state rivals and acquire a top tier defensive talent for their secondary?