When the Miami Dolphins traded superstar cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers in late June 2025, the NFL world collectively did a double-take. In return, Miami acquired veteran safety **Minkah Fitzpatrick**, along with a favorable draft‑pick swap ([ESPN.com][1], [PFF][2]).
Fitzpatrick, a five-time Pro Bowler and perennial All‑Pro during his early years with Pittsburgh, was seen as a formidable return. Yet optimism is tempered by caution. **Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox** strongly suggests that despite Fitzpatrick’s pedigree, this could be Miami’s biggest bust of the season. Why? His recent production has dipped—just **one interception across 2023 and 2024**, a career-low, and a staggering **127.6 passer rating allowed when targeted** last season ([Heavy Sports][3], [Athlon Sports][4]).
Knox emphasizes that while Fitzpatrick is “highly unlikely to flat‑out bust,” the Dolphins are taking a gamble. Without replicating his earlier dominance, he may fail to offset the loss of Ramsey and balance the trade’s value ([Heavy Sports][3]).
The context is critical. Fitzpatrick, now 28, arrives in Miami with two seasons left on his deal and **no guaranteed money**, which gives the Dolphins financial flexibility (a point underscored by PFF’s analysis of Miami’s cap strategy) ([PFF][2]). For high-stakes cap-conscious teams, this kind of roster balancing act is common—but it doesn’t guarantee on-field results.
If Fitzpatrick can’t hit his stride, concerns grow beyond just this season. The Dolphins’ secondary, already looking thin after Ramsey’s exit, now leans heavily on Fitzpatrick and unproven depth like Kader Kohou, Cam Smith, Storm Duck, and others ([Heavy Sports][5]). That could be a recipe for defensive inconsistency if Fitzpatrick falters.
In short: Miami made a financially savvy move, potentially freeing up future cap space, but betting on Fitzpatrick returning to All‑Pro form isn’t without risk. If he continues to decline—or fails to make a game-changing impact—the trade could look very different come December. And that’s why he’s being pegged as the most likely “bust” in Miami’s revamped defense.
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[1]: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45393465/2025-nfl-offseason-trade-grades-latest-best-worst-deals?utm_source=chatgpt.com “NFL trade grades: Jalen Ramsey, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Devaughn Vele – ESPN”
[2]: https://www.pff.com/news/jalen-ramsey-trade-signals-miami-dolphins-are-focusing-finacial-flexibility-and-2027-nfl-draft?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Jalen Ramsey trade signals Miami Dolphins are focusing on financial flexibility and 2027 NFL Draft”
[3]: https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/minkah-fitzpatrick-teams-biggest-bust/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Dolphins’ New $17 Million Piece Predicted As Team’s Biggest ‘Bust'”
[4]: https://athlonsports.com/nfl/miami-dolphins/trade-piece-predicted-to-be-teams-biggest-bust?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Dolphins Trade Piece Predicted to Be Team’s Biggest Bust – Athlon Sports”
[5]: https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/nfl-needs-training-camp-jalen-ramsey/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Dolphins ‘Thin’ at CB A
fter Jalen Ramsey Trade”
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