Steelers: Three Takeaways From Week 10 Win

Minkah Fitzpatrick Is a Legit DPOY Candidate

When the Steelers swung a trade earlier this season to pick up Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins, the move was met with mixed reactions. Though everybody was well-aware of his talent and draft pedigree, the thought of giving up next year’s first-rounder was a tough pill for many to swallow, especially since Ben Roethlisberger has just been lost for the season and the Steelers looked like a team on the verge of imploding. Fast-forward to now though and nobody is complaining about that trade anymore. Fitzpatrick has not only been worth the price of that trade; he’s managed to make the Dolphins look downright foolish for parting ways with him.

Since joining Pittsburgh, Fitzpatrick has blossomed into one of the NFL’s best safeties. Pittsburgh was hoping he would help fix their underwhelming defense and he has done exactly that. His skills in coverage have made it all but impossible for opposing offenses to throw the deep ball, and his ability to hold up in run support has been huge, especially with Sean Davis on Injured Reserve. Fitzpatrick already has five interceptions as a Steeler, and the team has a 5-2 record since acquiring him. This guy has become a legitimate All-Pro type player, and in the process, should be viewed as a true Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

Fitzpatrick is a game-changing talent and a player that Pittsburgh needs to lock up long-term as soon as possible. The team took a chance when they traded for him, but the reward has been greater than anybody could have hoped for.