Minkah Fitzpatrick is perfect fit for Kansas City Chiefs

Compensation

This is the part that I know will make Chiefs fans groan. Acquiring Fitzpatrick could cost us a first round pick. Brett Veach hasn’t yet made a first round selection as Chiefs general manager. In this case though, not having a first round pick could be to the Chiefs advantage. No, really.

Fitzpatrick was picked 11th overall in the 2018 NFL draft. He then signed a contract for four years/$16.4 million. That equates to a little over $4 million dollars annually. We have already detailed that we would get him at a discount because the Dolphins would be on the hook for some of his money.

So if the Chiefs traded their 2020 first round pick for him, the Chiefs would actually be saving money. Instead of paying the salary of a first rounder, they would pay half the salary of a former first rounder.

Let me frame it this way. Imagine in 2018, the Chiefs offered just their 2020 first round pick to the Dolphins to move up more than 20 spots to draft Fitzpatrick. On top of that, we make the Dolphins pay half his salary. That sounds absolutely ludicrous, but that is essentially what the Chiefs would be doing here.

Not only is this deal a steal, it fits perfectly with what the Dolphins are trying to do. They have already traded away top players Laremy Tunsil, Kenny Stills, and Kiko Alonso. They are in full fire sale mode right now. Who knows, maybe Veach can even negotiate it down to just a second round pick.

Either way, what seems like a steep price tag is actually a bargain in disguise. Maybe a great corner falls to the late 20’s or 30’s (where the Chiefs are presumed to pick) next year. Even then, will they be as good or better than Minkah Fitzpatrick? Chances are, probably not.