Minkah Fitzpatrick has changed the Pittsburgh Steelers playoff hopes this season, making him one of the most valuable defensive backs in the NFL.
If the Miami Dolphins knew Minkah Fitzpatrick were this good, they definitely wouldn’t have traded him to the Pittsburgh Steelers in September.
Yes, the Dolphins received a first-round pick from Pittsburgh as part of the trade, but the 22-year-old was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Since the Steelers are playoff contenders, the pick will be a downgrade for Miami, and, on top of that, Fitzpatrick has looked like the type of player who should have been picked even higher than No. 11.
Through seven games with the Steelers, Fitzpatrick has four interceptions, including a pick against Jared Goff and the Los Angeles Rams in Week 10. Fitzpatrick’s talent was critical to the Steelers picking up an impressive victory over the Rams, and he even had the game-sealing pick when the Rams were driving down the field in their quest for the game-winning touchdown.
The Steelers can also credit the 17-12 win to his fumble return touchdown earlier in the game. If it weren’t for Fitzpatrick, the might be 4-5 right now. Or worse.
It’s rare to call a player who was acquired for a first-round pick – among other mid-round pick swaps involved in the trade – a steal. But in this case, it’s more than applicable.
Based on his performance this season, Fitzpatrick has been one of the best defensive backs in the NFL. He’s a good cornerback, but he’s emerged into an elite safety who has single-handedly boosted the Steelers from “mediocre” to “playoff contenders” without Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers have been itching for an elite safety since the days of Troy Polamalu, and they have finally found someone who can combine with Joe Haden to make big plays.
The Steelers are back to their formula of running the football and playing great defense to pull out victories. Without Fitzpatrick’s coverage chops and interceptions as a ball-hawking free safety, this wouldn’t have been possible. However, Fitzpatrick’s emergence means that all the pressure the Steelers front seven provides can be converted into big plays that go back the other way.
Even the Steelers couldn’t have imagined the trade working out this well. Fitzpatrick is a great candidate to lead the league in interceptions when the season ends, and he’s only gone one game without a pass defended since joining Pittsburgh.
At 5-4, they are in a good position to make the Wild Card, and while most teams can’t thank a single defensive player for their success, this team wouldn’t be where it is right now without their September trade acquisition.
