Michael Reeves / Getty Images
Minka Fitzpatrick's commercial application was approved on Monday when the Miami Dolphins agreed to handle the safety of Pittsburgh's second year for the Pittsburgh Project first round in 2020, select according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Seth Wonder from ESPN provided some perspective on how much value the first round could unite the Dolphins:
Seth Walder @ Seth Walder
Choosing Steelers & # 39; 2020 has 29% chance of being in the top 5 and 62% chance of being in the top 10, on FPI. https://t.co/y8pKJ5GW8b records19659008 photosESPN & # 39; s Chris Mortensen reported on September 13 that the Dolphins allowed Fitzpatrick to seek a trade, as he was unhappy to be asked to play several positions.
Miami defense coordinator Brian Flores told reporters during the off-season plan that he plans to use Fitzpatrick at linebacker, back corner and safety.
Mortensen added that Fitzpatrick's agent Joel Segal was in contact with many teams, but the dolphins were not actively shopping for the 22-year-old.
Miami selected Fitzpatrick with the 11th overall pick in the draft of 2018. The former Alabama star appeared in all 16 games as a rookie and tied for second on the team with nine pass defenses.
Things started roughly for Fitzpatrick in 2019, when he allowed 117 yards and three touchdowns on six receptions in Baltimore Ravens' 59-10 loss in Week 1 to Pro Football Focus & # 39; Ryan Smith .
Despite these struggles, Austin Gayle of Pro Football Focus noted that in May the Dolphins did not make Fitzpatrick any affection as his best position was as a slot protector:
"He won an impressive 79. 3 overall ratings and 76.7 coverage in his 379 snapshots last season, among the 34 defensemen with 200 or more snapshots in the slot last season, he is ranked No. 1 in permissible completion percentage ( 51.3%), first in allowed passing (53.4) and tied for ninth place in coverage (76.7). [1 9459024]
"Only five other NFL backs with 200 or more Bay Area furious snaps as rookies earned higher levels of coverage in the game as first-class players: Casey Hayward, Jr. (90.8), Desmond King II (89.3), Leon Hall (81.5), Tyrant Mathieu (80.1) and Antoine Casson (79.4). "
Fitzpatrick was one of Miami's most valuable assets because of his youth and his contract status. He is signed in 2021 and will make $ 4.7 million over the next two seasons together. The deal also includes a team option for 2022 as it was the first round of the tournament.
Given the value of the feedbacks currently, Fitzpatrick will fit into any protection. Slot receivers have become a decisive part of NFL offenses, especially with players like Larry Fitzgerald and Adam Tiillen stacked there.
Dolphins are in the first phase of a long-term recovery effort. Trading with Fitzpatrick impairs their protection, but their main focus at the moment is adding long-term assets.
Being able to add a young defensive back with proven success and years of control left on his contract
Unlikely to change the trajectory of the team, with head coach Mike Tomlin confirming that Ben Roethlisberger will undergo seasonal elbow surgery.
As they opted out, the Steelers apparently look beyond 2019 with that move.
