This Dolphins-Colts Trade for Malik Hooker Would Help Miami Replace Loss of Minkah Fitzpatrick

The Miami Dolphins made a bold move last year in trading Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The star safety was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2018 draft and appeared to be a key piece in the team's plan to rebuild. That all changed when he demanded a move and found himself shipped out of town.

The Dolphins received a first-round pick in the trade, but could still use a safety with NFL experience to fill the void Fitzpatrick left behind, especially after releasing Reshad Jones. With that in mind, one player they need to target is Indianapolis Colts safety Malik Hooker.

Hooker is reportedly available on the block, and the Dolphins have 14 draft picks at their disposal this year alone, with three coming in the first round. Miami should can offer up the No. 70 overall pick in exchange for Hooker, which the Colts should have a tough time turning down if the goal is to move on from him before the draft.

The Dolphins would be taking a bit of a risk here, as Hooker has dealt with injury problems during his three-year career. He appeared in 13 games last season, and is notably still on his rookie deal. A decision remains to be made about his fifth-year option for 2021, but the Dolphins have the necessary cap space for a long-term deal if they want to move in that direction.

This trade is a helpful for the Colts as well, as the team gets an early third-round pick in return for a player who has not lived up to the expectations that came with his own draft slot.

Turning a former first-round pick into an upcoming third-round pick is never ideal, but it is better than letting Hooker eventually walk for nothing. Instead, he can head to Miami and look to be part of a secondary also featuring Xavien Howard and Byron Jones as the Dolphins hope to expedite the rebuilding process.