Fantasy football fallout of blockbuster Steelers-Dolphins trade

On Monday, the Dolphins and the Steelers reportedly agreed to a blockbuster trade that sent All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith to the Steelers in exchange for All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a pick swap. 

This trade bolsters an already tough Pittsburgh defense as Ramsey joins Darius Slay Jr. and Joey Porter Jr. as the team's cornerbacks. Last season, the Steelers ranked in the bottom eight in total passing yards allowed (3,876) and passing yards allowed per game (228).

After parting ways with Smith, the Dolphins now have an opening at tight end. According to ESPN, Julian Hill is listed as the starting tight end, with Pharaoh Brown as the backup. Entering his third year, Hill only has 18 career receptions for 148 yards. Brown is entering his eighth season and first with Miami after spending 2024 with the Seahawks. 

In PPR (points per reception) leagues, Smith ranked as the TE4 last season behind only the San Francisco 49ers' George Kittle, Arizona Cardinals' Trey McBride and Las Vegas Raiders' Brock Bowers. Smith finished last season with 88 receptions on 111 targets for 884 yards and eight touchdowns.

This trade has plenty of fantasy football implications for both clubs going into the 2025 season. 

Miami Dolphins outlook

Smith is exiting a loaded Miami receiving group. Although with no clear starter at tight end, the Dolphins still have wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, running back De'Von Achane and newly acquired pass-catcher Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. 

Last season, the Dolphins' skill position players experienced the season in two parts: when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was healthy and when he was injured. 

When Tagovailoa played, Hill averaged 14.9 fantasy points per game, with Waddle at 10.5 and Achane at 22.5. When Tagovailoa was out, Hill only averaged 9.0 points per game, with Waddle at 6.9 and Achane at 8.6. The Dolphins' players, especially Hill and Achane, showed they are weekly fantasy starters when Tagovailoa is running the team. 

In 2022 and 23, when Tagovailoa played almost the whole season, Hill finished second in the league in receptions both years with 119 and had a combined 3,509 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. Last season, Achane led all running backs in receptions (78), receiving yards (592) and receiving touchdowns (6). 

If Tagovailoa can stay healthy in 2025, both Achane and Hill can see top-tier production, especially since 111 targets have been freed up with the departure of Smith.  

Pittsburgh Steelers outlook

The Steelers' playmakers have had a bit of a shakeup going into the 2025 season. 

Last season, quarterback Russell Wilson, running back Najee Harris and wide receiver George Pickens were the team's leaders in passing, rushing and receiving, respectively. This offseason, Wilson signed with the Giants, Harris signed with the Chargers and Pickens was traded to the Cowboys.

Before Pickens was traded, the Steelers made a trade to bring in former Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf. Despite an offseason filled with rumors, quarterback Aaron Rodgers finally signed a contract with the Steelers. 

Smith now joins a receiving room led by Metcalf with wide receivers Calvin Austin III and Robert Woods and tight end Pat Freiermuth.

Throughout his 20-year career, Rodgers has always shown the ability to make his receivers fantasy-relevant. At the same time, despite having talented wide receivers, Rodgers has never had a superstar tight end. 

The most notable seasons of a Rodgers-led tight end have been 2011 Jermichael Finley and 2020 Robert Tonyan, neither of which came close to eclipsing 1,000 yards.

Both Smith and Frieiermuth are two of the best tight ends Rodgers has played with. Both tight ends won't be fantasy relevant, but whoever wins the position battle and receives more of the target share can be a consistent fantasy contributor in Pittsburgh.