Alabama football has sent their share of defensive players into the league. Just last year, the Denver Broncos drafted Patrick Surtain II, the son of the former Miami Dolphin, Patrick Surtain. There’s Marlon Humphrey who now plays for the Baltimore Ravens, Quinnen Williams of the New York Jets, Jonathan Allen in the NFC East for the Commanders and Dont’a Hightower, the New England Patriot. Then, there’s Minkah Fitzpatrick, the safety who was traded from the Miami Dolphins in 2019 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Today, he’s been rewarded with a contract extension. A five-year deal worth $73.6 million which makes him the highest-pair safety in the league today.
He’s a great football player and he’s one of the best playing his position as we speak. Minkah is always in the right place at the right time. He might do it in unorthodox ways, but he knows how to position himself to make a play when his defense needs it. His ball skills are remarkable. Minkah has such a tremendous nose for the football and when you watch the highlight film on him, the ball appears to find him. If you’re a quarterback and you throw the ball in a questionable manner, he will make a way to the ball for the interception. It just finds his hands. One thing that people don’t discuss about his game much is his coverage skills. Minkah plays the safety position with the mindset of a cornerback because he can drop back and cover his ground. He can jump routes, attack and either knock the ball down or get that interception. You can put him in the deep half of the field or near the box as he loves to tackle. Minkah can also guard receivers, tight ends and running backs. When it comes to run defense, he’s never been afraid to stick his nose in there and make the tackle. The versatility stands out.
I always say there are certain defensive players that you must know where they are at all times because if you don’t, they will make you pay. This is one of them. When he was acquired by the Steelers, so many people questioned the move. However, he came in and changed the entire dynamic of that Pittsburgh defense. While T.J. Watt is their best player, Minkah became the heart and soul of the entire team. He provided that secondary with a necessary boost and has been their best secondary player since the Troy Polamalu days.
