Draft analysts unanimously view defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick as a first-round selection in the upcoming draft. Fitzpatrick’s versatility makes him a fit for anyone. In his three years in college, the defensive back played four different positions at a high level.
“I always asked him about (which position he should play) because he was so good initially at corner, and then they had some injuries and moved him around,” ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit said. “He was so good at playing that star position over the slot, so good back there at safety, even in dime. They would move him up to linebacker because he can blitz and cover.”
Media mock drafts have as many as seven defensive backs being selected in the first round of the draft. Headlining that group is Fitzpatrick, Florida State safety Derwin James and Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward. It will be interesting to see where Fitzpatrick goes compared to the rest of that group.
“(Fitzpatrick) and Derwin James are probably the two most versatile players coming out this year,” Herbstreit said. “I’m anxious to see how they go, which order they go because they both bring so much to the table.”
Draft analysts have placed Fitzpatrick as high as No. 7 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and as low as No. 14 to the Green Bay Packers.
“With Minkah, you say, ‘OK, can he define a role, and can he be great at that one spot? Or are we going to move him around?’” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said in a teleconference on Wednesday. “How are you going to utilize him? And I think the defensive coordinators with these individual teams are going have to make that call. He’ll probably be there for the (San Francisco) 49ers at 9, and that, I think, would be a great spot for him.”
Combine Results
- 4.46 40-yard dash
- 14 bench reps (225 pounds)
- 33-inch vertical leap
- 121.0 broad jump
College Statistics
