Steelers trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick involves more than just a 2020 1st round pick

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins made a trade which occurred late Monday night sending defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Steelers for a 2020 1st round pick. At the time the trade occurred, it seemed as if it was a straight up trade.

The Steelers get Fitzpatrick, the Dolphins receive Pittsburgh’s top pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

However, as the night went on, and most were asleep, it became clear there were more picks being tossed around on both sides of the table, not just a player for a first round pick.

Check out what both the Steelers and Dolphins receive in this trade, per Adam Schefter of ESPN:

So the Steelers get Fitzpatrick, a 2020 4th round pick and a 2021 6th round pick, while the Dolphins get a 2020 1st and 5th, and a 2021 6th round selection.

There is a large contingent of media who are chastising this trade considering where the Steelers might be drafting in 2020 based on Ben Roethlisberger’s season officially ending Monday due to elbow surgery. But this trade goes far beyond that. Fitzpatrick is a second year player who the Steelers will have on his rookie deal for at least 3 more seasons before he is considered a free agent.

On top of that, Fitzpatrick is an extremely talented, and versatile, piece of the defensive puzzle in Pittsburgh. Fitzpatrick will help the Steelers right away, and if Mason Rudolph can somehow keep the team’s offense afloat, you never know what the defense might look like with Fitzpatrick roaming the secondary at variety of positions.

Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news on this trade, as well as any updates on the Steelers as they prepare for the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3.