June NFL Trade Insights
The last day of June was supposed to be a quiet one in the NFL, but that wasn’t the case. The Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers made a significant trade involving multiple players and draft picks.
In a deal that sees the Dolphins sending star cornerback Jalen Ramsey, tight end Jonnu Smith, and a seventh-round pick in 2027 to the Steelers in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a fifth-round pick in 2027, the dynamics of both teams are set to shift dramatically.
Pittsburgh Steelers: B-
The evaluation of this trade largely hinges on our views regarding the roles of cornerbacks and safeties in the current NFL landscape.
This trade does add some talent to the Steelers’ defense, especially within their cornerback lineup. They’ve already brought in Darius Slay this offseason, which should bolster their secondary alongside Joey Porter Jr.
Now, with a trio of cornerbacks featuring Ramsey, Slay, and Porter, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has the chance to maximize various matchups based on their opponents. This flexibility is crucial, given that most offenses still operate with 11 personnel, allowing Austin to craft strategic advantages with three reliable cornerbacks.
However, the steep cost of parting ways with Fitzpatrick to bring in Ramsey complicates this move. While Pittsburgh did add Juan Thornhill to their safety corps this offseason, he doesn’t quite match the caliber of Fitzpatrick. The Steelers often relied on Fitzpatrick for deep coverage, and his absence may necessitate a shift in their defensive strategy.
It really depends on how you value cornerbacks compared to safeties. The addition of Ramsey significantly enhances Pittsburgh’s cornerback position, enabling Austin to leverage matchups effectively.
Yet, in today’s NFL, the role of safeties cannot be understated, and losing someone like Fitzpatrick will have repercussions beyond just personnel changes. Reports indicate that Ramsey’s salary was increased by $1.5 million this year, bringing it to $26.6 million, which could strain their financial flexibility.
Arthur Smith does have an affinity for Jonnu Smith, which adds an interesting dynamic for Pittsburgh. The impact of how Smith fits into the offense alongside Aaron Rodgers remains to be seen.
Miami Dolphins: A-
The Miami Dolphins are facing some financial realities now. However, general manager Chris Greer seems to have made strategic moves to navigate these challenges effectively.
When the Dolphins awarded quarterback Tua Tagovailoa a lucrative four-year, $222 million extension last summer, they were aware that the financial implications would eventually arise.
Well, that time has come.
Tagovailoa’s cap hit is set to skyrocket this year from $1,125,000 last season to $25,046,000, with further increases projected in the next season. This spike creates significant pressure, making Greer’s decisions more critical.
As Greer explained in April, the need to explore trade options for Ramsey arose from ongoing discussions with the player and his representatives. “After many discussions, we felt it would be best to move Greg forward,” he shared. “These decisions take time; they’re not made lightly, and we respect Jalen’s stance.”
Greer emphasized that this trade positions the Dolphins not just for the present, but also for future success.
Despite the financial implications, it seemed the Dolphins weren’t getting much back initially. Yet, with the Los Angeles Rams also in the cornerback mix, the Dolphins ended up getting a substantial return for Fitzpatrick.
With Jevon Holland leaving for free agency, bringing Fitzpatrick back—where his career first started, as he was a first-round pick in 2018—addresses a critical need. This move not only enhances their secondary but also allows Miami to add Ashtin Davis and Ifiatu Melifonwu behind it.
Losing Jonnu Smith, who had impressive stats of 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns, is certainly a loss that needs to be filled. His exit is a significant factor in how this trade is perceived.
