NFL Draft Diamond Scouting Report: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

Before College: Minkah was one of the top ranked defensive backs in the 2015 recruiting class. He was named to the 2015 Parade All America Team. He was also selected to participate in the 2015 Under Armour All American Game as well as Nike’s 2014 The opening. According to Rivals.com, Minkah was the number 2 corner and number 24 in the Rivals 100. Minkah finished his Senior season with 60 tackles and 3 interceptions to go with 62 tackles, 4 picks and 21 pass breakups as a junior. Minkah played high school football for head coach Rich Hansen at St. Peter’s Prep (N.J.) chose Alabama over Florida State, Oklahoma, Auburn and Boston College.

Positives: Fitzpatrick is a player that loves football so much he lives it with such a passion. He is very competitive during every play on the field and tends to come up big in the biggest moments and games. He can play anywhere on a defense. (Slot,FS,SS,Left corner or Right corner and even a little LB.) Has very good foot work and as the ability to move forward and transition backwards smoothly. Of all 9 interceptions in his career, 4 of them were brought back for touchdowns. Has zero problems with coming up and making a tackle against the ball carrier. His football IQ is ridiculously high, And his work ethic is second to none. His freshman year in the spring game after every drive he would come off the field and go straight to the coach and ask questions about what to do differently and how to make it better.

Negatives: There’s not a lot of negative on a player like Minkah. But the negatives that are there are that I don’t think Minkah holds pure cover talent that will allow him to play a full time cornerback till year 2 of his NFL career. He plays so fast and hard at times that he will need to slow down the urgency at times. And at times will run himself out of the play at times by coming to hot for the tackle. Overall: I was told by a scout that he isn’t quite on the level of a Jamal Adams when changing the culture but has the same level of talent but probably more versatile than Adams is. I don’t see Minkah falling out of the top 10. And will be a play maker and difference maker on the defense for any team that drafts him.

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