Tanking Dolphins missed out on a huge opportunity to improve their Steelers first-round pick

It’s really too bad the Miami Dolphins couldn’t pull out a win on Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Oh, sure, ending the 2019 season with the worst record is the goal for the Fins, who have some other teams competing with them for the No. 1 pick in 2020 like the Bengals (also 0-8), Redskins (1-7), Falcons (1-7) and Jets (1-6).

But there was a wrinkle to the Monday Night Football contest they eventually lost to the Steelers (although they held an early lead at 14-0). Remember: Pittsburgh dealt its 2020 first-rounder for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Beating the Steelers would help improve that pick, and I’d venture to say the Dolphins are bad enough to be worse than those other four teams I listed.

It was a wrinkle that didn’t go unnoticed by NFL fans and others:

So… if the #Dolphins win tonight:

– They would get their first win of the season.

– Improve the #Steelers first-round pick which THEY own (via Minkah trade). pic.twitter.com/sTcNG2i12g

— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) October 29, 2019

Dolphins wanting to tank but remembering they have the Steelers 1st round pick. pic.twitter.com/kAZof7M0Tw

— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) October 29, 2019

If the Dolphins win a game, it might as well be the one that makes the Steelers’ draft pick worse

— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) October 29, 2019

Dolphins knowing a win hurts their 1st round pick, but remember they have the #Steelers 1st round pick too @houtz pic.twitter.com/zDVSSKDNV8

— Dynasty Dorks (@DynastyDorks) October 29, 2019

When a Dolphins win might cost them a No. 1 pick but also get them a second top five pick. pic.twitter.com/ohYkOvKzp9

— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) October 29, 2019

Ironically, Fitzpatrick had two interceptions:

When the Dolphins traded Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Steelers for multiple picks, I don't think this is what they meant.pic.twitter.com/6n9lNHyY0v

— Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 29, 2019