Alabama football is known as an NFL production center. Multiple players at virtually every position have had success at the professional level after coming through Tuscaloosa. Minkah Fitzpatrick is one of the best in Crimson Tide history and is now performing just as well in the league.
Fitzpatrick was selected no. 11 overall in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins but was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers within the first few weeks of the 2019 season.
His production has helped shape the impressive Pittsburgh defense and enters 2023 as one of the top performers in the NFL.
Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire recently ranked the top safeties in the league and Fitzpatrick sits at No. 1 spot as the best safety across all 32 teams.
“Last season, Fitzpatrick played 640 snaps at free safety, 161 in the box, 112 in the slot, 14 at cornerback, and 12 along the defensive line,” writes Farrar. “Wherever he was, opposing quarterbacks and receivers were generally not having a great time. Fitzpatrick allowed 25 catches on 36 targets for 369 yards, 123 yards after the catch, one touchdown, six interceptions, four pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 72.3. At safety specifically, whether in single- or two-deep coverage, Fitzpatrick’s field sense and eye for the ball made him an intelligent weapon for Mike Tomlin’s defense at all times.”
The Steelers play in a highly-competitive AFC North and Fitzpatrick will be heavily relied upon to boost the defense as the franchise looks to return to the playoffs in 2023.
Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Fitzpatrick and other former Alabama players in the NFL.
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Story originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire