The 49 ers didn’t trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick, and now they get to face him. Right away.
The Steelers have acquired Fitzpatrick from the Dolphins for Pittsburgh’s 2020 first-round draft pick, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday night, citing league sources. The defensive back recently demanded a trade out of Miami after the Dolphins were outscored 102 – 10 over the first two weeks of the season.
TRADE: Steelers are trading a 2020 first-round pick to the Dolphins for DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, league sources tell ESPN.
– Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)September 17, 2019
The reported trade comes at an especially inopportune time for San Francisco, as it most certainly ends the 49 ers’ pursuit of Fitzpatrick, if there even was one. But more to the point, now San Francisco will get a first-hand look at the former first-round draft pick in its very next game when the Steelers visit this weekend.
The ******** 11 overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, Fitzpatrick was taken two picks after San Francisco selected offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey at No. 9. He has the ability to play both cornerback and safety, and that versatility would have been very useful in the 49 ers’ defensive backfield, had they been willing to pay the price required.
With Fitzpatrick now reportedly headed to Pittsburgh, Jacksonville’s Jalen Ramsey becomes the most coveted defensive back available on the trade block, after the Jaguars cornerback similarly demanded a trade Monday. Both Richard Sherman and Ahkello Witherspoon have played well over the course of San Francisco’s 2-0 start, but like Fitzpatrick, Ramsey would present an upgrade – and also likely cost a first-round draft pick, at least.
[RELATED: Why 49ers should do whatever it takes to get Jags’ Ramsey]
The 49 ers previously sent away their own 2020 second-round draft pick in the trade that brought Dee Ford over from Kansas City. San Francisco has placed a high value on draft selections ever since the beginning of the Kyle Shanahan-John Lynch regime, but given the 49 ers’ fast start and suddenly steep trajectory, perhaps it’s time to consider using those draft selections to acquire more established commodities.
San Francisco suddenly has aneed for an offensive tacklein the wake of Joe Staley’s broken fibula. Whether it’s an offensive lineman or an All-Pro defensive back, the 49 ers should be thinking long and hard about pursuing some players that would undeniably improve their team, both in the immediate and the long-term future.
SANTA CLARA – Defensive end Dee Ford miss the second half of the49 ers’ 41 – 17 routof the Bengals after he aggravated the knee injury thatbothered him during the offseason.
Coach Kyle Shanahan explained that no decision has been made about Ford’s availability for the49 ers’ matchup with the Steelerson Sunday, but the team will monitor his situation throughout the week.
“Yes, yep, the same area,” Shanahan said. “Quad, knee area. He’s still hurting today. We’ll see how he is for practice on Wednesday. I don’t have anything new to update today, but practice will definitely be in question for Wednesday. ”
Ford was announced as questionable to return late in the second quarter of Sunday’s game. He later spent some time on the stationary bike and then stood near the substitues with his helmet on, prepared to go back into the game if needed. With the 49 ers in firm control of the game, Ford ended up not playing in the second half.
The 49 ers used each of their nine active defensive linemen on a fairly even rotation in Cincinnati. The heat and humidity were a factor in trying to keep everyone one fresh on the field.
Out of 70 total defensive snaps,here are each player’s totals:
Arik Armstead – 43
DJ Jones – 37
Ronald Blair – 35
DeForest Buckner – 34
Solomon Thomas – 33
Nick Bosa – 31
Dee Ford – 25
Sheldon Day – 24
Jullian Taylor – 21While Ford is ailing, No. 2 overall draft pick Nick Bosa seems to be taking a positive step. Aftermissing most of the practicesin Youngstown, Ohio, Bosa’s ankle seems to be on the mend.
“He came out healthy,” Shanahan said. “Healthier than the week before. Sometimes when you come back with a high ankle sprain you always get a few setbacks in those games. I know he did versus Tampa, but he didn’t complain of any yesterday.
“Didn’t play as much. We were playing him less on purpose and then we took out most of our starters there in the fourth quarter. I think it worked out well. He was able to affect the game and get out healthier than he did the week before. ”
[RELATED:Why Shanahan is sticking with Skule]
Shanahan explained that as usual they will monitor all of their player’s health. Their practice time and game time will be planned accordingly.
The early Week 4 bye can’t get here soon enough for the 49 ers.
SANTA CLARA —Without viable options on the open market to take the place of left tackle Joe Staley, 49 ers coach Kyle Shanahan said that rookie Justin Skule will get the nod for now.
The 49 ers picked up two impressive wins on the East Coast but came home with a big loss. Staley willmiss approximately six to eight weekswith a fractured left fibula. Unfortunately for the 49 ers, they already lost swing tackle Shon Coleman for the season with an ankle injury.
Washington Pro Bowl tackle Trent Williamsis holding out for a new contract and does have experience with Shanahan’s system but there’s very little chance he ends up in Santa Clara. The price for a trade would be too high and Williams likely does not want to be a one-year rental.
While Shanahan said that there’s a possibility the 49 ers work out a few tackles this week, the team is not set on anything yet. Shanahan thought that Skule did a nice job going in after Staley left Sunday’s game.
“We were mainly running the ball at that time,” Shanahan said. “But it was good to get him in a real NFL game especially since he’s going to be playing a lot next week.”
Skule was a four-year starter at Vanderbilt and Shanahan believes that experience in the SEC will be valuable. Shanahan and the front office will still keep their noses to the ground looking for options, which he said is standard procedure.
“Always,” Shanahan said. “We would love to if there were options. You look at anything that’s possible. I don’t think that there are a ton of options out there that are possible. ”
Shahanan explained that Skule is on the roster for a reason, which is why they have confidence that he can hold down the left side until Staley returns.
“We kept Skule because we thought he was the best available,” Shanahan said. “So that doesn’t change now. I think that Skule is going to get a lot better throughout his career but we kept him on this team because he can help us win now. ”
One option the team will not explore is Mike McGlinchey switching to the left side. Shanahan doesn’t believe that one side is more important as defensive ends often rush from both sides, with the exception of Von Miller.
Second-year lineman Daniel Brunskill is another option, who Shanahan said will work out this week at tackle as well. Most likely, the coaching staff will adjust to the personnel they have and provide help on the left side by using tight ends and / or a fullback for support.
[RELATED:Staley vows to coach Skule]
Shanahan said adding help isn’t only for rookies. The coach has always game-planned help as needed and sometimes elite players need it too.
“I’ve been with a lot of good tackles,” Shanahan said. “Had Trent Williams in Washington and Joe Thomas in Cleveland and Joe Staley here. There’s still times when you’ve got to help those guys also. ”
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