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Pros and cons of the Steelers trading for Minkah Fitzpatrick

By Brandon Kring

MIAMI, FLORIDA - AUGUST 22: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after a tackle against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter of the preseason game at Hard Rock Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - AUGUST 22: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after a tackle against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter of the preseason game at Hard Rock Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 16: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Miami Dolphins runs with the ball after intercepting a pass by Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Fitzpatrick scored a 50 yard touchdown on the play. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 16: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Miami Dolphins runs with the ball after intercepting a pass by Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Fitzpatrick scored a 50 yard touchdown on the play. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

The pros of landing Fitzpatrick

Minkah Fitzpatrick is a very versatile defender. In today’s NFL, that makes his value extremely high to a defense.

He has the ability to play either safety spot, any corner spot and even play some sub-package linebacker. That’s good news for a Steelers defense that needs help in many of those areas.

He will likely play free safety in Pittsburgh now with Sean Davis set to be sidelined for a long time with a torn shoulder labrum. This gives Fitzpatrick what he has, seemingly, wanted after reports of his frustration of moving around too much in Miami.

The Steelers gave up a lot for the second-year safety but there is plenty of financial upside to the deal as well. As reported by Albert Breer below, the Steelers will have low cap hits for Fitzpatrick for the rest of 2019 as well as 2020 and 2021. The option year being cheaper is also an enticing element to the Steelers.

Finally, this gives the Steelers a top-level young player on a cheap deal providing them more space to sign others. This also gets rid of the first round money allocated to their cap in the offseason.

The Steelers also admitted the Davis injury played a part in the team making a move on Fitzpatrick. With free agency looming, this gives the Steelers a quality in-house replacement in 2020 at the free safety position.

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