Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama: 2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick is a highly experience and playmaking defensive back who lines up all over the field.

Minkah Fitzpatrick is a well known commodity who has been a major contributor on Alabama’s defense since his freshman season. During his career, he showed the ability to stick with some of the country’s top playmakers.

Fitzpatrick is a versatile defender who lines up at multiple spots across the defense. Alabama has used him on the outside, in the slot and at safety. His position literally changes every play depending on the opponent’s alignment.

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This is a smart football player who is capable of reading the quarterback. He does a great job floating off his target in order to pull down an interception. His instincts and experience make him a great fit for a zone scheme.

In fact, Fitzpatrick doesn’t get a lot of work playing one on one coverage. Alabama doesn’t stick him on an island or ask him to follow the opponent’s top threat. It’ll be interesting to see if NFL teams see this as a negative.

The fact is that Fitzpatrick is a good athlete who has the hips to remain in-phase with his target. His lack of experience playing man coverage doesn’t mean he can’t handle those type of duties. It could be seen as a waste of his versatility to ask him to play that role.

When in coverage, he takes excellent angles to the ball which results in pass breakups and interceptions. His ball skills have improved throughout the course of his career. He just has a knack for being around the ball and creating turnovers.

He features average size for the position with excellent arm length. His frame has solid bulk which helps him play with some physicality.

Fitzpatrick is an aggressive run defender who attacks the line while remaining balance. He’s someone who rarely misses tackles and takes proper angles. Fitzpatrick does a great job using his hands to work off wide receiver blocks.

He is a solid special teams player who is active on punt and kick return. Fitzpatrick is a true 4-down player who can be on the field a ton.

Overall, Fitzpatrick is an excellent athlete who also excels at the mental part of the game. He’s an extremely versatile defender who impacts the game all over the field. His ability to create turnovers is something all defensive coordinators covet.