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Dolphins Trade Piece Predicted to Be Team’s Biggest Bust

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Thomas Valentine | Last updated Jul 10, 2025 12:30 PM ET

The Miami Dolphins hit the headlines in the last few weeks for a series of moves that have changed the core of the team. The front office shipped off cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith for Minkah Fitzpatrick, with picks included, in the hope of changing the fortunes of a team that limped to an 8-9 record in 2024.

The team struggled to pick up any momentum due to an injury suffered by starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Still, even when healthy, the offense struggled to move the ball, while the defense allowed just 21.4 points per game, the ninth-fewest in the league. The Dolphins will also hope that Fitzpatrick can bring the same defensive impact as Ramsey.

Though one analyst believes Fitzpatrick could be the Dolphins’ biggest bust in 2025. According to Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, he will struggle to be the same player he was a few seasons ago.

“Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is highly unlikely to flat-out bust for the Miami Dolphins in 2025. The five-time Pro Bowler is a quality starter who was on the field for the Pittsburgh Steelers in all 17 games last season.” Knox writes.

Fitzpatrick spent the first season of his career with the Dolphins before being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers midway through the second year. He earned First Team All-Pro honors in three of his first four seasons with the Steelers and made a name for himself as one of the best safeties in the NFL, but his impact has dwindled in recent years.

“However, Fitzpatrick also came to Miami as part of a trade that sent cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh.” Know added, “He'll need to play extremely well to bring a sense of balance to the exchange, and the 28-year-old simply hasn't been as impactful in recent years.”

Fitzpatrick has been a Pro Bowler in the last three seasons, but played just 10 games in 2023 before struggling in the second half of the 2024 season.

Knox finished with, “Fitzpatrick had just one interception over the past two seasons and allowed an opposing passer rating of 127.6 in coverage last season.” Fitzpatrick won’t have the same caliber of defense talent around him either, and Knox believes that he’ll struggle to make the impact needed to justify the deal.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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