Former Alabama Superstar Minkah Fitzpatrick Named NFL's Top Safety

Former Alabama DB Minkah Fitzpatrick named the top Safety in the NFL by execs, coaches, scouts, and players across the league in a poll by ESPN.

Wyatt Fulton | Jul 12, 2023

Those who have followed Alabama Football through Coach Nick Saban's tenure understand the nuances in Saban's speech when it comes to talking about players or the team as a whole. While Saban may not be as hard as the media portrays him to be, he is still very reserved when it comes to discussing current and former players with the media.

That did not appear to be the case when Nick Saban talked about Minkah Fitzpatrick. Saban would regularly praise the former Crimson Tide standout. In a press availability in 2017, prior to the start of Fitzpatrick's junior season, Saban said Fitzpatrick, "does it as well as anyone I've ever coached in terms of how it works."

Saban, also known for getting fired up during press conferences, even cussed when discussing Fitzpatrick in that press conference,

Saban on M. Fitzpatrick: "He's phenomenal. He does it every day. I've heard guys say they save it for the game and they aren't worth a shit"
— Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) August 16, 2017

Saban would also highlight Fitzpatrick's versatility as a major piece for the Crimson Tide, "Minkah has a lot of versatility ... I think his diversity allows us a lot of different things that we can do." Fitzpatrick began his college career playing "money" (6th defensive back) and "star" (5th defensive back) before working his way up to starting corner his sophomore year. Following a season-ending injury that season to standout safety Eddie Jackson, Fitzpatrick made a near-seamless transition to the starting safety role for the Crimson Tide.

Now, Fitzpatrick is getting his recognition in the NFL too. In a poll posted by Jeremy Fowler and ESPN, former Alabama standout DB Minkah Fitzpatrick was named the top Safety in the NFL by execs, coaches, and scouts across the league. In 5 seasons in the NFL, Fitzpatrick has already accumulated an impressive resume, being named First Team All-Pro 3 times in his career, with 4 pro bowl selections.

In the 2023 season, Fitzpatrick notched a career-high 6 picks to pair with his 96 tackles and 11 passes defended (which also tied his career high). Fitzpatrick continues to use his versatility to his advantage in the NFL, "Best in the game, and it’s not close. You have to keep him moving because if he’s stationary, coordinators can plan for him, but every single play, there’s that feeling of, where is he going to be? Post, slot, nickel, box. He’s capable, willing, and able to handle all of that. He’s brilliant, works, studies, loves the game," an NFL personnel coordinator said to ESPN.

When Fitzpatrick signed his contract extension last summer, he was the highest-paid safety in the league, making $18.2 million per year with $36 million fully guaranteed. Just a few months later, Derwin James swooped in and stole the title. With Fitzpatrick firmly atop the NFL as the best safety in the league, he should have no trouble reclaiming the title of highest-paid when it's time for his contract negotiations again.

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