The Miami Dolphins shook the NFL last week, trading away two stars, Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith, to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The move was one of the biggest trades of the offseason, and in recent memory, and puts the Dolphins in strange territory for 2025 and onwards.
The trade saw the Dolphins send Ramsey, Jonnu Smith, and a 2027 7th-round pick to the Steelers for Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. Fitzpatrick spent the first two years of his career with the Dolphins and was a fan favorite, before spending the next six with the Steelers.
Despite Fitzpatrick returning, the Dolphins have been blasted for the trade, even if they were able to move on from two disgruntled stars. Per Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, the Dolphins received a “C-” grade for the trade.
“A split with Ramsey was all but inevitable for the Dolphins, and they did get a quality safety back in Fitzpatrick—who should immediately replace the departed Holland. However, Miami also included Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith in the deal, which will sting.” Knox said.
Former Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) runs onto the field before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium.
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Smith had a career year in 2024, catching 88 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns, and he earned a Pro Bowl nod for the first time in his career. Losing such a major part of the offense, especially considering the entire unit took a step back in 2024, is a big blow for a team that has playoff aspirations in 2025.
The C- grade handed to the Dolphins is a reflection of that, as well as losing Ramsey. Even if, according to Dave Hyde of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Ramsey had “undermined defensive coordinator Vic Fangio two years ago and Mike McDaniel last season in a manner that spread like a bad odor through the larger team.”
Ramsey, even at 30 years old, is still one of the better corners in the NFL, and could even transition to safety later in his career. His attitude may have affected the locker room, but on the field he still produced, defending 11 passes and snagging two interceptions in 2024.
Knox went on to add, “Fitzpatrick hasn’t been productive in recent years but is still a 28-year-old Pro Bowl safety.” The hope will be that the Dolphins can expunge Fitzpatrick’s play from 2024, and reintegrate him into a team that needs help in the secondary. As it stands though, not everyone remains a fan of the move.
