Jonnu Smith, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Jalen Ramsey trade fallout: Next man up for Dolphins and Steelers?

Another blockbuster offseason trade went down yesterday, as the Pittsburgh Steelers sent Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for cornerback Jalen Ramsey, tight end Jonnu Smith, and a 2027 seventh-rounder.

The trade has created plenty of debate, with every angle picked apart, from roster balance to salary cap impact, and verdicts passed on which teams emerged as the winners and losers.

One area that has received little attention is how each team plans to fill the void left by the departed stars, whether by promoting a former backup or looking to bring in help from outside.

DAZN News examines the most obvious option on the table in each scenario.

The Dolphins' best option to replace Jonnu Smith

Replacing Smith will be no easy task. The veteran produced career highs across the board last year, finishing the season with 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. Those figures ranked fourth, fourth, and third among all NFL tight ends.

The remaining tight ends on the Dolphins' roster are either extremely inexperienced or are specialist blockers. It seems extremely likely the team will bring in someone via a trade.

One rumoured trade target who makes a lot of sense is Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer.

The former second-round pick is a capable receiver, but found himself relegated to the bench after the Raiders selected Brock Bowers in the 2024 NFL Draft.

It's a move that makes sense for both sides. Mayer is surplus to requirements in Las Vegas, may be disgruntled about his diminished role, and his contract is very affordable to the thrifty Dolphins.

The Dolphins' best option to replace Jalen Ramsey

Ramsey hasn't met expectations during his two years in Miami. His production has deteriorated across the board, including a drop-off in tackles, pass breakups, and interceptions.

Nevertheless, he was still the most talented and productive cornerback on the Dolphins' roster by a wide margin.

The team added rookie cornerback Jason Marshall Jr in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he's not considered NFL-ready. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein criticised Marshall Jr's concentration, tackling, and determination.

The other options on the roster have drawn praise from teammates for their performances in OTAs. But, despite the rave reviews, it would be a major surprise if any of them performed at a level near Ramsey's.

The team may bring in a veteran such as Asante Samuel, but for now, it appears the Dolphins will hold an open competition for an outside corner spot between Cam Smith, Artie Burns, Kendall Sheffield, Ethan Bonner, Isaiah Johnson, Marshall Jr, and Storm Duck.

With Ramsey and his huge contract out of the door, Miami appears content to have some cap relief, while they ride out what will almost certainly be a losing season with an eye on rebuilding in future drafts.

The Steelers' best option to replace Minkah Fitzpatrick

The Steelers signed Thornhill to a one-year deal in free agency. The 29-year-old safety had previously spent two years with the Cleveland Browns, following a four-year stint with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Crucially, Thornhill has spent most of his career as the deep safety for both of his former teams. In that sense, he presents a natural replacement for Fitzpatrick.

Worryingly, the similarities end there.

There's a stark contrast in the abilities of each player in run defense. PFF, who grade every player's snaps in every game and awards players a score out of 100 in various categories, has given Thornhill a 61.4 career run defense grade. He has also missed a staggering 15% of his tackle attempts.

In comparison, Fitzpatrick has achieved a career PFF run defense grade of 78.9 and has missed only 11.6% of his tackle attempts.

The disparity in coverage ability is just as concerning. Throughout his career, Fitzpatrick has limited quarterbacks to a quarterback rating of only 79.1, whereas Thornhill has been picked upon, allowing a 98.8 rating.

As impressive as Fitzpatrick's Steelers' career was, some have wondered aloud whether he was part of the recent problems in Pittsburgh's secondary.

If there is any truth to that suggestion, perhaps Thornhill's determination could help him overcome what is clearly a disparity in talent between the two players. After all, he previously stated that he is "willing to do whatever it takes to win."

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