I would be opposed to trading Fowler at this point for a few reasons.

First, playing a part time role, he still mustered 8 sacks. It stands to reason that if he got more playing time, he'd reach double digit sacks. Considering pass rushers are a marquee position, you don't trade them away. You stockpile them as much as possible. He is still young and in his prime. Besides, should Ngakoue or Campbell become injured, the need for a quality pass rusher would not diminish in those circumstances. Lest we forget, this team was 2:37 away from the Super Bowl this year. Trading away a key contributor from that defense when we are this close to reaching the Super Bowl is not prudent.

With that in mind, a 3rd round pick would not be adequate compensation for someone with the above traits. If we just let him walk as a free agent, we could get as much as a 3rd or 4th round compensatory pick for him, depending upon the circumstances surrounding his departure. Considering those compensatory picks can now be packaged in a trade, they are even more valuable than before. The value of getting Fowler's pass rush for another year and simply letting him walk outweighs the value of getting him for a 3.

Furthermore, even though there are numerous guys coming up that will need new deals like Ngakoue, Ramsey and Jack, there are other free agents coming up who play less vital positions. Though I value the contributions of guys like Church, Gipson, Poz and Abry Jones, to say nothing of some less talented guys on offense, I would consider letting them go if it meant keeping Fowler and his pass rush if it came down to it.

Now there are some circumstances where I might reconsider.

If a team is willing to dramatically overpay in terms of trade compensation (i.e. a 1st rounder plus), I'd certainly consider it. If dealing Fowler meant getting the long term answer at QB (assuming the team does not think Bortles is that guy and the effort to land a guy like Cousins fails or is otherwise undesirable), I'd certainly consider it.

Otherwise...keep him.

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