Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft Profile: Safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick
By Brian DeFeo
Our next stop of Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft profiles takes us down to Tuscaloosa, Alabama for yet another first-round prospect. We will be looking at one of this years top safety prospects, Minkah Fitzpatrick.
The Buccaneers are in a lucky position this draft where many teams ahead of them need quarterbacks giving them an opportunity to land one of the top prospects in this year’s draft filling a position of need. Alabamas Minkah Fitzpatrick is an elite safety that has the traits and versatility to be an instant NFL starter.
Fitzpatrick is widely considered as the top defensive back prospect in this years draft class. He’s got range and athleticism to give the Buccaneers a vastly improved secondary. Currently, the Buccaneers have Justin Evans, Keith Tandy, Chris Conte, Josh Robinson, and Isaiah Johnson as the current safeties on the roster. While Evans performed admirably in his rookie season Keith Tandy took a step back and Chris Conte is nothing special. The Buccaneers need an upgrade and boost and Fitzpatrick could be the one to help the defense take the next step.
Minkah Fitzpatrick Collegiate Career
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Minkah Fitzpatrick is the best defensive back prospect in this draft for many reasons. His versatility to play all positions in the secondary and is a ball hawk. Fitzpatrick was a five-star recruit coming out of New Jersey and committed to Alabama as a junior.
When he arrived at Tuscaloosa he started ten of fourteen games as a true freshman. He recorded 45 total tackles, with three for a loss, two sacks, two interceptions, both returned for touchdowns and eleven pass breakups.
He earned Freshman All-American honors after Alabama’s championship season in 2015.
As a sophomore Fitzpatrick continued his streak of success. Starting fifteen games the ball hawk shined in Bama’s primetime game against Arkansas. Minkah had three interceptions in the game returning one 100 yards for a touchdown. He finished the season with 66 tackles, six picks, two touchdowns and seven more pass deflections. He earned All-American and All-SEC awards for his performance.
His junior year put a stamp on his successful collegiate career with more of the same numbers. While he only had one interception his overall skills improved and was targeted less. His defensive excellence allowed him to win both the Chuck Bednarik and Jim Thorpe Awards for top defensive back and all-around defensive player. Fitzpatrick joins Charles Woodson and Patrick Peterson as the only players in college football history to win the Bednarik and Thorpe Awards in the same season.
He decided to forgo his senior season entering this draft. At the combine, Fitzpatrick put up strong numbers showing he has the athleticism to play multiple positions. At 6’1″ 200 pounds, he has the size, strength, and speed required of an NFL caliber defensive back.
Pros
With nine career interceptions, two forced fumbles, and 24 pass breakups Minkah is a clear ball hawk. He makes plays all over the field and earned the proper awards proving so. He can tackle with the best of them and has the speed to keep up with any player he’s matched up against.
While he’s not in a position that blitzes often, he proved to be able to get after the quarterback when necessary. Racking up five sacks as a college safety are strong numbers. His versatility to play multiple positions could really assist any team who needs secondary help as well.
Cons
He is a quality prospect but everyone has weaknesses. He has the natural traits but needs to improve his deep coverage if he wants to be a full-time safety in the NFL. He’s also can be an over-aggressive tackler chasing plays that he can’t make.
While he has the ability to play a variety of positions he doesn’t have a definite position. While a defensive coordinator should be able to bring out the best in players he would probably be better suited for a nickel corner role to start his career. The Buccaneers have already used a first round pick on what is now their nickel corner in Vernon Hargreaves. Would they be able to utilize both well enough to fix the defensive woes, that would fall on Mike Smiths shoulders?
Why The Buccaneers Need Minkah Fitzpatrick
The Buccaneers had the worst pass defense in the NFL last year. Keith Tandy had a strong season two years ago but they didn’t follow him into this season. Where Chris Conte showed improvements last year we know what he is and he won’t be making a pro-bowl anytime soon. Justin Evans was the lone bright spot at safety but he’s just a rookie. Brent Grimes is back for only one more year and Hargreaves was injured and struggled most of last year.
Minkah Fitzpatrick will be able to play any position asked of him in the secondary. The Bucs really can’t get worse at pass defense and Fitzpatrick will improve it drastically. The Buccaneers will likely be in a position to draft Minkah this year and if they feel he is the top prospect on their board they could really improve their defense instantly.
Will It Happen?
The Buccaneers are in a great position to fill one of their biggest needs on April 26th. With the top three picks likely to be quarterbacks and possibly another after they are in a position to grab one of if not the top prospect in the draft. Minkah Fitzpatrick deserves to be a top fifteen pick and should be there when the Buccaneers are on the clock. The Buccaneers need to improve their secondary but there will be other options on the board at the same time.
Could the Buccaneers be scared off by them drafting Mark Barron early a few years ago? Could they like the prototypical safety or corner more in Derwin James or Denzel Ward? Fitzpatrick has the traits to do and can easily be an NFL starter instantly.
Next: Bucs Not Getting Attention Is A Good Thing
We’ll see what the Bucs can do in less than a month now. Stay with us every day as we give you more prospects to watch on The Pewter Plank. Sound off on Twitter or Facebook if you think Minkah Fitzpatrick is the pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at seven.