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The Pittsburgh Steelers made a coup this week by acquiring a key defender in Minkah Fitzpatrick. The free safety, who was traded to the team from the Miami Dolphins for a high draft pick, is expected to make an immediate impact with the team ahead of the season.
Fitzpatrick's arrival at the team couldn't come at a better time for the Steelers. With the injuries they sustained to crucial positions, it's become more important for them to shore up on defense to make up for any offensive lapses. Fitzpatrick's addition fills the need and is a great one at that.
They will be facing interesting competition in the San Francisco 49ers who are shorthanded on defensive players. This is the perfect chance for the Steelers to showcase their new secondary to their fans and finally get their first win of the season.
Here are three things we predict will happen in Fitzpatrick's debut game for the Steelers.
Fitzpatrick will make his presence felt
The main reason for Fitzpatrick's departure from Miami is the fact that they didn't play him where he wanted. The Dolphins used him all over the secondary during his time there, to his chagrin.
He won't experience similar problems when he plays for the Steelers. After all, defensive coordinator Keith Butler was incredibly giddy after getting the talented defender on his team.
“I’m glad we got him, we needed him,” Butler said, per Yahoo! Sports. “Watch him in practice, y’all see the same thing I do, that dude can move.”
It won't be weird for the Steelers fans to expect quality performance for Fitzpatrick as well. In the two games he played for the Dolphins this season, he recorded a fumble, a fumble recovery, and 11 tackles. It's not impossible to expect more of the same out of him as well.
Moreover, he will want to prove a point to Brian Flores. He wants to make sure the Dolphins know they misused his talents down in South Beach.
Fitzpatrick will get an interception
Since Fitzpatrick is eager to show off to his new team, he will work hard to make his presence felt on defense. One of the things that he might do to get attention is to make an interception.
He has shown that he can catch opposing quarterbacks off guard he did nick two in his rookie year. Moreover, Fitzpatrick had his incredible sophomore year at Alabama when he made six interceptions and turned two of those into touchdowns.
It will be common see the same level of performance from a player of Fitzpatrick's level. He could well become the leader of the Steelers' secondary if he proves his worth against the 49ers.
He will lead the Steelers to a victory
Pittsburgh is still reeling from Ben Roethlisberger's season-ending injury. While Mason Rudolph showed us glimpses of superb quarterbacking, it's hard to see him leading the entire Steelers team to victory all on his own. He will need help on defense, and that's what Fitzpatrick will provide in spades.
Fitzpatrick will be a big presence for the Steelers defense and stop the 49ers from progressing on his side of the field.
