Steelers get DB Fitzpatrick fins for 1st round pick



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The Pittsburgh Steelers have acquired defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick of the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a first-round pick for 2020.

The Dolphins also received the Steelers' fifth round 2020 pick and a sixth round in 2021. In turn, the Steelers received the choice of the Miami 2020 fourth round and a seventh round pick in 2021.

"We are very pleased to add Minkah to our defense," said Steelers General Manager and Vice President Kevin Colbert in a statement. "We ranked him very high during the NFL selection process in 2018 and we thought he could be an impact player in this league."

Fitzpatrick, the No. 11 pick of the total 11 in 2018, was given permission to look for an exchange of sad Dolphins (0-2) earlier in the week because he was unhappy about playing multiple positions, said sources to ESPN.

He declined to talk about a potential exchange when he was questioned about it before Miami's 43-0 defeat, week 2, against the New England Patriots.

"I can not focus on this trade, and this and that," Fitzpatrick told reporters on Friday. "I'm focused on Sunday, I need to focus on the New England Patriots."

Fitzpatrick, 22, immediately strengthens the Steelers defensive group, which includes Joe Haden, Steven Nelson and Terrell Edmunds.

Fitzpatrick allowed a 49% completion percentage when he was the closest defenseman in his rookie season, according to NextGen Stats. He was ranked sixth among the defensive backs with 400 cover shots.

The product of Alabama brings a valuable contract with him, entering the second year of his recruiting contract. He earns $ 1.8 million this year, followed by $ 1.9 million and $ 2.7 million in wages, plus a fifth year option in 2022.

Fitzpatrick will face his former team when the Dolphins go to Pittsburgh in the eighth week of Monday night's game.

The Steelers' choice in 2020 has a 29% chance of being in the top 5 and a 62% chance of being in the top 10, according to ESPN's Football Power Index.

Last season, Minkah Fitzpatrick totaled 80 tackles and two interceptions in 16 games. In two games this year, he escaped by force and scored 12 tackles. David Santiago / Miami Herald / Tribune Press Service via Getty Images

The dolphins continued to stock choices with the trade. They now have three first-round and two second-round picks in 2020. They also have two first rounds and two second rounds in 2021.

The trade marks an important day for the Steelers, after coach Mike Tomlin announced the quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was undergoing surgery after suffering an elbow injury ending the season.

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