Minkah Fitzpatrick bold predictions after shocking Dolphins trade

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3 days ago

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While Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill expresses sadness over his teammate's blockbuster trade, the team must contemplate its next move. Also, here are bold predictions for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick after the shocking deal that sent him to the Dolphins.
The Steelers sent Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Dolphins for cornerback Jalen Ramsey, tight end Jonnu Smith, and a 2027 seventh-round pick. By most NFL observers' accounts, this is not the greatest deal for Fitzpatrick. He goes from a legitimate playoff-contending team to one with marginal hope of playing meaningful games in December.
As for Eric Edholm, he seemed to think it could go either way for Fitzpatrick, according to nfl.com.
'Perhaps this is a full-circle moment for Fitzpatrick,' Edholm wrote. 'Over the past few years, he hasn't seemed to make quite as many game-changing plays as he once did, and he was shoehorned into more nickel duty in Pittsburgh. He'll have a lot on his plate in Miami, and the Super Bowl might be farther away than it was for him with the Steelers.'
Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick will bounce back
After picking off 17 passes over four years from 2019-2022, Fitzpatrick had just over the last two seasons. That should change in Miami
First, he'll likely spend more time deep, giving him extra opportunities to react to off-kilter passes, according to espn.com. Ben Solak said he expects Fitzpatrick to play primarily at free safety.
'This is almost certainly where the Dolphins need him, as Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer departed in free agency,' Solak wrote. 'And only stopgap options, Ashtyn Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu, were signed in free agency to replace them.
'Fitzpatrick, who will turn 29 this season, struggled with his range, reads, and tackling from deep last season. And it's worth wondering if he can continue to play 90% of his snaps as a roaming, deep-middle player. The Dolphins are betting that he can.'
Look for Fitzpatrick's interception total to reach three or four in 2025. Also, his contract situation comes into play in terms of motivation.
'If Fitzpatrick becomes a rock for that secondary, he could land another extension,' Edholm wrote. 'Perhaps even before he turns 30 years old next fall, when he'll be heading into the final year of his current deal.'
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick will fall short of Pro Bowl
After three straight years in the Pro Bowl, Fitzpatrick will fall short in 2025. It will be harder for him to make a splashy impact for a defense that will have trouble stopping other teams.
Also, look for Fitzpatrick's tackle total to drop because the Dolphins will use him in different ways. Overall, it looks like the Dolphins will have trouble staying close to the .500 mark. That will not hurt Fitzpatrick's chances of making big plays, but also make it more difficult for him to be motivated — especially late in the season.
If the Dolphins fall out of contention and look for a reboot, Fitzpatrick is the type of player who could help them gain draft assets.
Because the Dolphins likely aren't going to be competing for a Super Bowl title any time soon, Fitzpatrick might want to look at the return to his former team as a short-stay situation. Fitzpatrick might even be playing for a team other than the Dolphins before the 2025 season is over.
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