The Case for Minkah Fitzpatrick at Four
As you know, the Cleveland Browns are once again at the top of the draft with the first and fourth overall picks. All of the chatter has been about what quarterback will be taken number one, but we’re going to save the first pick for another time.
The Browns have many solid players that could start on other rosters, but they lack the impact players it takes to win games (the coaching is also horrendous).
Cleveland addressed the safety position in last year’s draft by selecting Jabrill Peppers, who should’ve been playing strong safety instead of free safety. This is precisely why the Browns should consider a true free safety like Minkah Fitzpatrick, who can have a significant impact in the secondary. A pro comparison for the safety out of Alabama would be a bigger Tyrann Mathieu or Budda Baker. Things like instincts, play-making skills, versatility and being a mismatch eraser are some reasons why many people feel this way. Not to mention, Fitzpatrick is ranked as the second-best overall player in this draft class, according to Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller.
He’s 6’1″ 201 lbs that’s full of competitiveness. In 2015, Fitzpatrick started 10 times at the “star” position in 14 appearances and earned Freshman All-American and Freshman All-SEC notice (45 tackles, three for loss, 11 pass break-ups). He played the star position early in 2016, then made the switch to the safety position later in the year when senior Eddie Jackson was injured. He led Alabama with six interceptions and 186 interception return yards, returning two more pick-sixes to set the school career record with four. At the end of the year, Minkah was named a first-team All-American by multiple outlets for his efforts (66 tackles, five TFL, seven pass break-ups).
Cleveland needs game-changing players and Minkah Fitzpatrick is one them.
