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About an hour ago
In the run-up to the NFL draft in 2018, Mike Tomlin was so attracted to defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick that he did two scouting missions in Alabama to study the potential first-round pick.
Tomlin did it with realism. The Pittsburgh Steelers held choice # 28 and Fitzpatrick would likely be out of the board when commissioner Roger Goodell announced his selection.
"We knew it was a bit of a pipe dream," said Tomlin.
Not anymore. Sean Davis, a long-term security casualty, wrapped up an exchange on Tuesday in which he sent his first-round pick to Miami in exchange for Fitzpatrick, who selected General Selection # 11 about 18 months ago. The agreement also involves an exchange of less advanced project choices in the 2020-21 projects.
Fitzpatrick, 22, was denied the right to vote with the Dolphins and his role in the 0-2 team. In Miami, he was invited to play five positions, from the corner to the outside corner, through free and strong security and even the hybrid linebacker.
Fitzpatrick asked for an exchange after the Dolphins lost their first game of the season, 59-10, against Baltimore. It was granted less than 48 hours after the Dolphins lost their second game, 43-0, against New England.
Although Tomlin is intrigued by Fitzpatrick's versatility, he will "anchor" his new addition safely for the foreseeable future. Fitzpatrick will start there on Sunday, when the 0-2 Steelers will travel to San Francisco to face the 2-0 49ers.
"We'll get it quickly," said Tomlin. "He's in the field, so we have almost a week to prepare. He's a smart guy. It's obvious when you watch the dolphin movie and the myriad things they asked him to do.
As a rookie, Fitzpatrick excelled as a corner, placing first in the percentage of completions allowed (51.3%) and the ranking of smugglers allowed (53.4%) among the top 34 spots in the rankings. Pro Football Focus ranking. He also took pictures at the outside corner and both safety positions.
Mike Hilton and Cameron Sutton will continue to take slot reps for the Steelers, and Tomlin has not ignored the possibility that Fitzpatrick will be there later in the season.
"At some point (his versatility) will be an asset to us," said Tomlin, "but in the short term we will not ask him to change a lot of things."
Davis being placed in the reserve of the wounded, he will be absent at least eight weeks. He had already missed the 33-3 loss of the season against New England with a bruised ankle and had injured his shoulder in the second half Sunday against Seattle.
In both cases, the Steelers have used the former player of the Alliance of American Football Kameron Kelly safely.
"Sean's injury was decisive for the move we made," said Tomlin.
That's why the Steelers will not have first-round picks next season for the first time since 1967. They will control Fitzpatrick for the 2020-21 seasons and will be able to exercise a fifth-year option for 2022. Davis will be free agent after this season.
Tomlin said the Steelers had no qualms about losing so much choice for a player of Fitzpatrick stature.
"It's first and foremost our comfort with the player," said Tomlin. "It's no secret to us that we were looking for safety when it came out. We have done due diligence on all of these types. In these circumstances, there was a sense of preparation, a sense of knowing among us about his abilities, his character, his football skills, his ability to integrate with what we do. All these boxes had been checked before the project (2018). "
When Fitzpatrick left Alabama after his junior season, he was considered the best security in the Retirees category, with former NFL guru Mike Mayock quoting Fitzpatrick as his No. 5 pick. Fitzpatrick measured 6 feet 204 pounds in the NFL combined, where he ran the scorecard 40 yards in 4.46 seconds.
"We thought he could be an impact player in this league," said Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert in a statement.
Fitzpatrick had gone since the Steelers went on the podium in the first round. Looking to replace veteran Mike Mitchell, they landed at Terrell Edmunds with their first choice.
"We were excited about the potential to get one of the most successful security features in this draft," said Tomlin, "and shortly thereafter we have a tandem of this class."
Joe Rutter is an editor of Tribune-Review. You can contact Joe by email at [email protected] or via Twitter .
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