Alabama Football NFL Mock Draft 2018: Where will Crimson Tide land?
Scouting Report. Minkah Fitzpatrick. player. 48. Pick Analysis. DB. Round 1, No. 9 overall. 1
Minkah Fitzpatrick is extremely versatile as he has played consistently at three different positions. The only defensive back prospect that might get snapped up faster is Florida State’s Derwin James. Regardless, Fitzpatrick has the numbers that impress. In 2016, he had 66 tackles and six interceptions and in 2017, he racked up 60 tackles and one pick.
Fitzpatrick can play anywhere on the field. The NFL is predominantly about the passing game, and he excels at all types of coverage, particularly man-to-man. With his versatility, he can cover any kind of receiver, and he reads offenses well. Some pundits are predicting that San Francisco will snap him up, but I think he would be a better fit for the Buccaneers. The Bucs desperately need to improve their secondary.
The Alabama star is an explosive playmaker, and he is one of the best defensive backs in the draft. He is certainly one of the most well-rounded backs. Fitzpatrick can play well at the line of scrimmage, but he also excels in the corner.
If the Bucs didn’t draft him as a safety, he could also play inside corner. If he does go with the Bucs, that team would boast one of the best pair of safeties in the NFL, with Justin Evans at the other side.