Don’t let the Professional Bowl idiot you. Minkah Fitzpatrick wasn’t the identical caliber of participant in 2024 he was his first a number of seasons within the NFL. A lot in order that NFL Community analyst and revered tape-watcher Brian Baldinger believes Fitzpatrick wasn’t even the Steelers’ greatest security final season. In an interview on the Inexperienced Gentle with Chris Lengthy podcast, Baldinger weighed in on Fitzpatrick’s latest play.
“He has one takeaway the final two years,” Baldinger advised Lengthy in an interview that may absolutely air Tuesday. “Actually, DeShon Elliott was most likely a greater participant final 12 months. He was most likely quicker, most likely a greater tackler.”
Elliott grew to become one among Pittsburgh’s most shrewd free agent additions. Not solely was he a greater tackler than Fitzpatrick, Elliott was arguably the NFL’s greatest tackling defensive again. By any metric, our charting, Professional Soccer Reference’s figures, or Professional Soccer Focus’ grading, Elliott merely didn’t miss. He supported and crammed the run with authority and Pittsburgh’s protection suffered within the two video games he missed resulting from harm.
Fitzpatrick himself was a dependable and regular tackler. However he regressed in protection not solely failing to make huge performs however struggling in man protection. Per our charting, he allowed a 129.4 QB ranking towards. Fitzpatrick was the one certified Steelers’ defender to be within the 100’s and ranked 35-points behind the Damontae Kazee, the next-closest participant.
As Gerry Dulac famous late Monday, Pittsburgh wasn’t happy with Fitzpatrick’s lack of takeaways. After failing to intercept a move in 10 video games in 2023, he picked off only one throw in 2024. At one level, Fitzpatrick went 16 video games with out an interception.
Baldinger made the identified level that Ramsey wasn’t remaining in Miami. Sad together with his scenario, the Dolphins had been going to commerce him. His contract made potential offers with the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers unworkable, opening the door for Pittsburgh to make a mega-deal. TE Jonnu Smith was included in addition to a 2027 choose swap, the Steelers sending a fifth and the Dolphins sending a seventh.
Is Baldinger’s level correct? Was Elliott higher than Fitzpatrick final season? In a vacuum and looking out simply at 2024, it’s a good evaluation. Ultimately, Elliott was rewarded with a multi-year extension. Fitzpatrick was shipped out of city.
