Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers made one of the biggest trades in the history of the franchise on Monday, sending All-Pro free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and draft pick compensation to the Miami Dolphins for All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith.
The move came out of nowhere. Though the Steelers had been mentioned in talks regarding Ramsey and Smith, the idea of trading Fitzpatrick had not been mentioned at all this offseason.
So what to make of Omar Khan once again pulling off a stunner?
This one is easy. The Steelers added an All-Pro cornerback, who is expensive and slightly past his prime. They subtracted an All-Pro safety, who is expensive and slightly past his prime.
They also added a Pro Bowl tight end.
There’s no argument to made that the Steelers did anything other than improve the talent level of their roster. Ramsey may not be he once was, but he is at least every bit the player Fitzpatrick has been.
Ramsey had two interceptions and 11 passes defended last year, the first season he wasn’t a Pro Bowler since 2016. Fitzpatrick had one pick and four PBUs. They play different positions, so it’s not apples to apples, but it’s at worst a wash, and probably a slight win for the Steelers.
Smith adds another dimension to the team’s tight end room, giving Arthur Smith the ability to line up to two tight ends that are bona fide receiving threats, with Jonnu Smith next to Pat Freiermuth.
Smith had 884 yards and eight touchdowns with the Dolphins last season playing in an offense that also had Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane demanding targets. He probably won’t replicate that production as a 1A/B with Freiermuth in a running offense here, but the Steelers now have the versatility to run 12 personnel, with two tight ends on the field, as a base offense if they want to.
Ramsey is not as good as he once was. Fitzpatrick is not as good as he once was. The difference between the players is that it’s a lot easier for a safety to still be dominant late in their career.
Troy Polamalu was a Pro Bowler at 32. Ed Reed was an All-Pro at 33 and a Pro Bowler at 34. Rod Woodson was an All-Pro as a safety at 37. His career arc might be the Steelers’ blueprint for how to use Ramsey, but the fact that so many safeties have had so much success so late in their careers means that Miami has the biggest piece of upside in the trade in Fitzpatrick.
The 28-year-old has not shown a physical decline. He hasn’t been repeatedly or significantly injured. His results simply have not been up to the same level as they were before.
While the Steelers got the greater haul of talent in the exchange, the Dolphins also got the one player most likely to...
