NFL Week 3: Minkah Fitzpatrick traded from Miami Dolphins to Pittsburgh Steelers

In advance of NFL Week 2, Miami Dolphins defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick made it known that he would like to be traded elsewhere. That came as no surprise given the negative trajectory of the 2019 Dolphins but, before Miami took the field in what became a blowout loss to the New England Patriots, the team was vocal in projecting Fitzpatrick for a sizable role on the defense. Just one day later, however, Fitzpatrick's wish was granted, with Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports bringing word of a deal that will send him to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a first round draft pick. 

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network brings further details, noting that the Dolphins will send a fourth round pick in 2020 and a seventh round pick in 2021 to Pittsburgh, with the Steelers sending a first round pick in 2020, a fifth round pick in 2020 and a sixth round pick in 2021 to complete the transaction. Fitzpatrick was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and, since then, he has performed well as a key cog of Miami's secondary. With that in mind, it isn't shocking that he commanded a top-dollar return on the trade market, particularly when realizing that he is only 22 years old. 

In the same breath, the Steelers pushing their chips into the middle right now is quite interesting. Star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is out for the season with an elbow injury and, on top of that, Pittsburgh opened the 2019 campaign with back-to-back losses. That places a heavy emphasis on the play of backup quarterback Mason Rudolph and, even if he performs well, there is inherent risk for the Steelers, especially when taking into account the 2020 first round pick that will be headed to Miami. 

For the Dolphins, it makes sense to "sell high" on Fitzpatrick. It would be nice for the team to have a young, low-price building block on its defense but Fitzpatrick clearly wanted out and Miami was able to secure an appropriate trade package. Miami is certainly building on a long-term trajectory and, unlike the Steelers (who are still facing 200-1 odds to win the Super Bowl), all is lost for the 2019 season itself.