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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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MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 15: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Miami Dolphins looks on in the third quarter against the a at Hard Rock Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 15: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Miami Dolphins looks on in the third quarter against the a at Hard Rock Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Final verdict, for the time being

As with draft picks, it is hard to grade trades at the moment they occur. This one is no different and will take at least until the end of 2019 to get a better gauge on how this trade worked for Pittsburgh.

The immediate impact is that Fitzpatrick will offer an upgrade to the defensive backs and provide stability while Sean Davis heals from his labrum injury. It also speaks volumes to the confidence the team has in Mason Rudolph as the starter for the 2019 season.

Rudolph is being doubted by those outside Pittsburgh and by some fans, as well. The hope is that he can come in and keep the team competitive while Fitzpatrick gives a boost to the defense.

I don’t think anyone expects a super bowl run from Rudolph after being thrust into the lineup but he has shown promise both in his progression from 2018 to 2019. He has displayed confidence in himself and gotten high praise from his teammates for his poise coming in against Seattle.

The Steelers don’t have a first-round pick in 2020 as things stand but they do have the following: a second-rounder, two fourth-rounders and a fifth, sixth and seventh-rounder in 2020. The team may also gain a 2020 third-round compensatory pick in the offseason for the departure of Le’Veon Bell, so they could wind up still having a fairly full draft.

Next. 3 quarterbacks the Steelers should trade for to backup Rudolph. dark

The Steelers got themselves a player they loved in the 2018 draft and have him under team control for the rest of 2019, 2020 and 2021 with a 5th-year team option that is likely to be fairly cheap for a player with his potential. Let’s all just take a deep breath, watch the season unfold and enjoy the quality young defender the Steelers got themselves Monday night.

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