2018 NFL Draft Profile: Minkah Fitzpatrick
- Tyler Webb
- Jul 22, 2017
- 2 min read
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Defensive Back, Alabama
6’1, 203 Lbs, Junior, 4.54 40 Yard
Minkah Fitzpatrick could have easily been a 1st round draft pick last year, as a true sophomore at Alabama. Though 247Sports.com lists him as the 5th best cornerback from his high school class, Fitzpatrick can play everywhere in the secondary and perform at an elite level at that. In his senior season at St. Peters Prep, he broke up 21 pass attempts and stole the ball 4 times from the offense. He came into Bama with a bang, as he started 10 out of 14 games as a true freshman, and had 45 tackles, 3 for a loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions with 2 touchdowns and 11 pass deflections. You can definitely say he made his presence felt during their quest to a championship, and was awarded as a Freshman All-American by The Sporting News. Minkah matched his marvelous freshman season with 66 total tackles 5.5 for a loss, 1.5 sacks, 6 interceptions, 2 more touchdowns and 7 pass deflections as a sophomore. Coming into his junior season, Minkah is a lock to be a first rounder, and could even crack the top 10 if he continues to play at this elite of a level.
Fitzpatrick is a swiss army knife defensive back who can make a difference all throughout the secondary. He has an amazing ability to create false openings and close in quick enough to make the interception. Early in the fourth quarter against Arkansas Fitzpatrick intercepted a pass roughly 5 yards in the endzone and took the ball back to the house for 6 points. He got lost very often against the second Clemson battle, as Hunter Renfrow torn him apart for most of the game.
Possible Landing Spots: Top 10th-19th Pick
Cleveland Browns - Jabrill Peppers was an amazing steal for the Browns secondary last year, and they could solidify a youthful secondary with the draft choice of Minkah Fitzpatrick. Cleveland can finally find a good running mate to put aside Joe Haden.
Baltimore Ravens - The Ravens have had pretty bad luck at corner, and weren’t very deep to begin with. Though the Ravens just dipped into the Alabama talent pool last year by drafting Marlon Humphrey, the Ravens need major help in the secondary and Fitzpatrick is more than just a corner.
Cincinnati Bengals - The Bengals have to worry about Antonio Brown multiple times a season, and with Darqueze Dennard in a contract year and Adam Jones aging, the Bengals are getting low on starting caliber cornerbacks. Fitzpatrick brings the perfect skill set to guard receivers like an Antonio Brown or Jeremy Maclin at the next level.
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