Steelers & Dolphins Win BIG in Blockbuster Trade?!

Jalen Ramsey, Minkah Fitzpatrick Traded: What the Steelers and Dolphins Gain from Blockbuster Swap

The NFL world was set ablaze Monday with a significant trade that sees the Pittsburgh Steelers loading up for a potential Super Bowl run while the Miami Dolphins appear to be embarking on a strategic reset. This blockbuster deal involves a trio of former Pro Bowlers and a swap of draft picks, leaving fans and analysts alike dissecting the implications for both franchises.

Here’s a breakdown of the trade:

Steelers Receive:

• CB Jalen Ramsey
• TE Jonnu Smith
• 2027 seventh-round Draft pick

Dolphins Receive:

• S Minkah Fitzpatrick
• 2027 fifth-round draft pick

Let's delve into the key components of this deal and examine what each team hopes to achieve.

Jalen Ramsey: A Game-Changer for Pittsburgh's Secondary

Jalen Ramsey is undoubtedly the headliner of this trade. His arrival immediately transforms a Steelers cornerback room that struggled mightily in 2024. While the Steelers' defense excelled at generating pressure, their coverage metrics told a different story:

Steelers CB Coverage Metrics in 2024:

• Coverage Grade: 30th (Out of 32)
• Forced Incompletion %: 29th
• Explosive Play % Allowed: 21st
• Open-Target %: 30th

Pittsburgh has already added six-time Pro Bowler Darius Slay to bolster their secondary, but Ramsey's presence elevates the unit to another level. His 76.9 PFF overall grade in 2024 ranked 11th among qualified cornerbacks, and since entering the league in 2016, he boasts an elite 92.6 PFF overall grade.

Ramsey's versatility is a crucial asset for the Steelers. Darius Slay is expected to lock down one outside cornerback spot, leaving Ramsey to potentially occupy the other. However, if the Steelers remain confident in Joey Porter Jr., despite his 56.3 PFF coverage grade last season, Ramsey can seamlessly transition to the slot, a position where he's logged nearly 1,300 snaps during his career.

Jalen Ramsey's Career PFF Grades by Alignment:

• Outside CB: 92.6
• Slot CB: 78.3
• Box: 76.8

With the addition of free-agent acquisition Juan Thornhill, the Steelers felt comfortable using Minkah Fitzpatrick as trade bait. Now, with Ramsey in the fold, the Steelers possess a potentially dominant secondary to complement their already formidable defensive line.

Jonnu Smith: Adding a Spark to the Steelers' Offense

Jonnu Smith reunites with Arthur Smith, his former offensive play-caller. Interestingly, Smith had his best NFL season in 2024 under Mike McDaniel in Miami.

Metric Performance:

• PFF Receiving Grade: 83.4 (5th)
• Receptions: 88 (4th)
• Yards per Route Run: 1.95 (5th)
• YAC per Reception: 5.9 (9th)
• Missed Tackles Forced: 13 (4th)

Arthur Smith should integrate him smoothly into the offense, particularly given Smith's prowess in generating yards after the catch. This skill set is something the Steelers' offense, which ranked 17th in yards after the catch per reception last season, desperately needs.

The Dolphins' Strategic Reset

The Dolphins' side of this trade signals a shift towards a long-term strategy. By shedding significant salary, Miami is positioning itself for future competitiveness. Currently, the Dolphins ranked poorly in effective cap space in the coming years: 28th in 2025, 26th in 2026, and 22nd in 2027.

Moving Ramsey's contract alleviates major cap burdens through the 2029 season. Even acquiring Minkah Fitzpatrick is viewed through a lens of short-term cap management. While Fitzpatrick can contribute to their young secondary, his contract's flexibility allows Miami to potentially cut him after this season, saving over $17 million.

Rumors now swirl around other star players like Tyreek Hill, who could become a trade candidate. The ripple effects of these moves may even influence the future of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Ultimately, this trade represents contrasting approaches. The Steelers are all-in on contending now, while the Dolphins are prioritizing future flexibility and a potential rebuild.

Only time will tell which team's strategy will prove more successful, but one thing is certain: this trade has significantly altered the landscape of the NFL.

Source: https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-trade-jalen-ramsey-minkah-fitzpatrick-steelers-dolphins-breakdown