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The Dallas Cowboys need to make a trade.

The Dallas Cowboys have plenty of issues to fix on defense, but one of the biggest challenges has been the secondary. Even if the Cowboys improve the pass rush, it may not matter without an improved secondary.

Dallas has until the NFL trade deadline on November 4, 2025, to make a move, but the 3-4 Cowboys are running out of time to remain in the playoff hunt. USA Today’s Angel Torres offered several potential trade pitches to improve the Cowboys defense.

One proposed trade has the Cowboys turning to the 2-6 Dolphins for help. The addition of 5-time Pro Bowler Minkah Fitzpatrick would bolster the Cowboys secondary.

Find out how a Cowboys-Dolphins trade could work for both teams.

Cowboys Rumors: Dolphins Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick Is a Potential Trade Fit for Dallas

Miami is coming off a dominant win over the Atlanta Falcons, but the franchise still has a long way to go to save the season. The Dolphins may be willing to trade key veterans for future draft picks. Torres suggests the Cowboys trade a second rounder (2026) and sixth-round pick (2027) in exchange for Fitzpatrick.

“Miami appears ready to blow things up with a slew of players apparently ready to be had,” Torres explained in an October 21, 2025, story titled, “5 big-name defenders Cowboys could try to trade for include All-Pro DE, DTs, LB, Safety.” “Fitzpatrick will be 30 at the start of next season, the final year of his deal so compensation may not be a steep as the other players on this list.

“With a base salary of $15.6 million next season, a contract extension may have to be worked out soon. Regardless, Fitzpatrick would stabilize the back end of a Cowboys defense who ranks among the worst in the league.”

The Cowboys Have the No. 31 Ranked Passing Defense in the NFL

Fitzpatrick would bring an impressive resume to Big D, including the safety making the Pro Bowl in four of the last five seasons. The defender is also a 3-time All-Pro.

Dallas has the second worst passing defense in the NFL, allowing more than 258 yards per game. The Cowboys sustained more injuries in the secondary during the team’s blowout loss to the Denver Broncos.

With Trevon Diggs going on injured reserve, the Cowboys appear to be out of answers for how to improve the unit. Opposing teams have been able to exploit the Cowboys defense with explosive plays throughout the season.

Dolphins Star Minkah Fitzpatrick Is on a 4-Year, $73.6 Million Contract in the NFL

Fitzpatrick’s contract is a little more reasonable than some of the other trade targets being floated for Dallas. The star is on a four-year, $73.6 million contract, but this deal expires after the 2026 season.

Fitzpatrick has a $4.5 million cap hit for 2025 and this number jumps up to $18.8 million in 2026, per Spotrac. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hinted that Dallas would like to make a defensive trade but is not targeting pass rushers.

“I would say, without incriminating any area of it, it would be a defensive player,” Jones told The Athletic’s Dianna Russini for an October 25, feature titled, “What I’m hearing from Jerry Jones and Jeffrey Lurie, plus the latest trade deadline buzz.” “But not a pass rusher.”

Jonathan Adams is a veteran sports contributor covering the NFL, NBA and golf for Heavy.com. His work has been prominently featured on NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated. More about Jonathan Adams