NFL Draft: Re-grading every first round pick from the 2018 NFL Draft

NFL Draft: Re-grading every first round pick from the 2018 NFL Draft: Number 11 overall, S Minkah Fitzpatrick

Something is seriously wrong with the Miami Dolphins franchise. Granted, they’ve come a long way but still, trading safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was a perplexing move. In his first year on the squad, he stood back and watched patiently on the sidelines for his opportunity. Once it arrived, he didn’t waste it.

In 11 starts and 16 overall games in his first year, Fitzpatrick put up good numbers consisting of 80 combined tackles and two interceptions. What appeared to be the start of a great career, quickly went by the wayside as Fitzpatrick believed Miami was utilizing him the wrong way.

Instead of making adjustments, the Dolphins decided to ship him off to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 along with a 2020 fourth-rounder 2021 seventh-round pick in exchange for Fitzpatrick and a multitude of picks. Now that he’s happy, he’s taken his game to a whole other level.

One man’s trash turned into another man’s treasure as Fitzpatrick has been incredible in his new home. His four interceptions this past season ranked fifth at his position. Opposing QBs who decided to test him anyways quickly found that to be a mistake as he allowed only seven total catches when he was the primary defender. The past two seasons, Fitzpatrick has gained a reputation as being one of, if not the very best safeties out there, and his back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances and All-Pro selections strengthen his case in that regard.

So, let me get this right. The Dolphins took a player and traded him away instead of playing him to the best of his abilities and said player went on to become an All-Pro and a Pro Bowler? Someone in the Dolphins organization should be booted because of this.

All in all, Fitzpatrick gets an A as a player but the Miami Dolphins, on the other hand, their grade will be much lower than that.

Grade: F