The Dallas Cowboys have vowed to be active ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline and fans have begun drawing up their hypothetical deals they want to see happen. The biggest need is on the defensive end, where Matt Eberflus’s unit has failed to keep up with the tremendous success Klayton Adams has had in his first year as offensive coordinator.
With Eberflus suggesting it’s the players that are the problem, acquiring a defensive playmaker is a logical way to prove that theory. The Miami Dolphins are heading towards selling after opening the season with a 1-6 record, and it’s led Cowboys fans to connect the dots and target edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.
While Phillips would be a solid acquisition, it may not be the best move the Cowboys could make. Instead, the Cowboys should be interested in the latest report by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who suggested the Dolphins could make former All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick available ahead of the deadline.
“Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is also on my radar,” Fowler wrote in his latest notebook ahead of Week 8. “So, while I’m not sure a complete house-cleaning is in order, it would surprise me if the Dolphins stood pat. This is a team with roster concerns, and those eight 2026 draft picks won’t address them all.”
Cowboys Should Pounce as Dolphins’ Rebuild Opens Door for Minkah Fitzpatrick Trade
With the Dolphins heading toward another rebuild, the Cowboys would be wise to swoop in and grab Fitzpatrick. The Dallas secondary has been one of the weakest parts of Eberflus’s unit, allowing 8.1 yards per attempt for the second-highest clip in the NFL entering Week 8. But Fitzpatrick would also fit in due to Eberflus’s reliance on a zone-based scheme outside of last week’s gameplan related adjustment against the Washington Commanders.
According to Pro Football Focus, Fitzpatrick’s 75.2 overall grade is ninth among 83 qualifying safeties this season. He also has been strong in coverage with a 71.8 grade that ranks 10th among qualifiers.
An all-around game is something that has been missing at the safety position, as Donovan Wilson’s 47.8 overall grade ranks 78th among qualifiers, and his 41.8 coverage grade ranks 77th among that group. Wilson is also a free agent at the end of the year, while Fitzpatrick could be a long-term solution, signed to a two-year contract extension that has him under contract through the 2026 season.
Compare this to Phillips, who would make an impact but be more of a gamble. Phillips has a strong resume with 25 sacks to his name, but he also has a lengthy injury history that could make a potential trade backfire. The 26-year-old is also in the final year of his contract, meaning the Cowboys wouldn’t just have to give up draft capital but would have to make a large investment to keep him in Dallas.
Fitzpatrick has already been traded once in the past calendar year, heading to Miami as part of a 1-for-1 trade for Jalen Ramsey. But he’d be best served joining a contender and the Cowboys fit the bill at 3-3-1. If the cost is a second or third-day draft pick, the Cowboys would be best served floating an offer Miami’s way, and it could be enough to fix their struggling defense.