To kick off yesterday’s news, the NFL learned about the Miami Dolphins had dealt Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith, and a 2027 7th-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for Minkah Fitzpatick (who returns to Miami after being drafted there in 2018) and a 2027 5th-round pick.
First, Ramsey and Fitzpatrick were in the same trade. Then the news broke about Smith going to Pittsburgh for a draft pick. So technically, there were two trades but involving the same two teams. It was a shocking trade seeing as how there wasn’t a tun of buzz that Fitzpatrick was up for grabs. As for Ramsey, that was clear as day. Now, the Dolphins have even more of a mess at cornerback.
It was one of those rare player-for-player trades that don’t usually occur, but they aren’t impossible either. There have been plenty of trades involving players and the Buffalo Bills have one of the best ever in both franchise and NFL history.
BIlls trade for LeSean McCoy is one of the most lopsided trades in NFL history
Following the Ramsey-Fitzpatrick trade, Jeff Kerr from CBS Sports ranked the “eight best player-for-player trades this century” and the Bills made it onto the list at No. 4, for when they traded for All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy and all that they had to give up was linebacker Kiko Alonso, who had a phenomenal rookie season in 2013 but tore his ACL prior to the 2014 season.
"Alonso was coming off a torn ACL after finishing second in NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2013, missing the prior season. He lasted just one year with the Eagles before being dealt to the Dolphins, as Howie Roseman resumed the general manager role following Chip Kelly's dismissal. McCoy made three Pro Bowls with the Bills and had two 1,000-yard seasons. He had 3,814 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns in four seasons in Buffalo. "Jeff Kerr, CBS Sports
A rookie Kiko Alonso played a lot like Matt Milano did early on in his career so while Alonso might have been a “what if” player for the Bills, if he was the only player that the Bills had to trade away in order to acquire arguably the best running back in the game, it’s a no-brainer. Buffalo clearly won the trade.
LeSean McCoy had lots of success with the Bills and even though he was only able to help the Bills make the playoffs once, he brought a big spark to the offense and was ended his tenure in Buffalo as a three-time Pro Bowler. Alonso on the other hand only played in Philly for one season, and then went to Miami before playing his final season in 2019 with the New Orleans Saints.
Going back to the Ramsey trade, it will be interesting to see who comes out as the actual winner. But for now, I would pick the Steelers as the winner seeing as how the Dolphins’ cornerback room is an absolute mess.