Minkah Fitzpatrick Is A Good Enough Athlete To Play Any Position In The Secondary

[Kyndig]

In another thread yesterday I pointed out that our starting secondary was solid because we have 3 players who can start at safety with Minkah Fitzpatrick so far demonstrating the potential that he can develop into a potentially great Free Safety, perhaps in the style of Ed Reed one day.

I also said that we have 3 solid players who can start at the cornerback position including Minkah Fitzpatrick in the same group with Xavien Howard and Bobby McCain and that if Bobby McCain couldn't handle one of the boundary corner positions that I thought Minkah Fitzpatrick probably would be a very solid starting cornerback nickle or boundary once he gets his feet underneath him.

I was scoffed at for this statement and the reason stated was that "he isn't a good enough athlete to play one of the boundary cornerback positions." I disagree with this, and am not sure where the evidence of that statement came from. Here are his combine numbers:

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/minkah-fitzpatrick?id=32462018-0002-5599-4469-725ea4e0930c

Those are solid numbers, in combination with his renowned preparation and film watching addiction that has him as the last man leaving the building every night leads me to believe that he would play fast at any position in the secondary and that if Bobby McCain can't handle the second corner position opposite of Howard, that at some point during the year I'll bet you could swap Minkah Fitzpatrick and McCain and let Bobby go back to the nickle and that Minkah would be a formidable starting cornerback.

I know that long term the vision is to have him roaming around as a free safety and acting as the QB of our secondary, but this year, if you want to have your best 5 DBs on the field at the same time, then it is comforting to know that Fitzpatrick could help out wherever he is needed the most.

Now, there doesn't seem to be much depth behind those 5 guys, but the starting 5 looks to be the strongest secondary as a group starting the season as we have had in a very long time. Rashad Jones is a Pro Bowler, TJ McDonald is a solid safety, probably a better Strong Safety then Free Safety, but still very solid. Xavien Howard looks to have the opportunity to take a leap to be a potentially elite Corner this year, and Minkah Fitzpatrick also looks like he will be every bit the dynamic playmaking player that Nick Saban said was the best football player that he has ever coached. Bobby McCain is a solid Nickel who some of you think we overpaid for. Let's see how he handles the starting CB position opposite Howard, maybe he'll be good. If he can't, I'll bet Minkah Fitzpatrick would be able to...

 

[hoops]

You weren’t “scoffed at” for starters.

I just disagree with that assessment and explained my side of it.

Like I’ve always done.

 

[Geordie]

I was very down on the pick when we made it, hell I think I said prior to the draft I was fine with any of the elite talent pick as long as it wasn't Vea or Fitzpatrick. I still think Tremaine Edmunds filled more of a need and has the higher ceiling, I also would have done what I had to to secure Josh Rosen. However in pre-season alone I have been very pleasantly surprised, he's a superstar of the future if developed correctly, do we have the coaching staff to get the best out of him though is the debate.

 

[foozool13]

He truly could play every spot, but Minkah needs to be our FS. Circumstances don’t allow for that maybe right now, but that’s where he is best utilized without a doubt in my mind.

 

[Superself]

Minkah has played every position but the slot is where he has the most experience. I feel that when he is off the field, the Dolphins are vulnerable because nobody else has his range, instincts and ability to cover.

 

[Kyndig]

You weren’t “scoffed at” for starters.

I just disagree with that assessment and explained my side of it.

Like I’ve always done.

Where did you explain it? I just showed you his combine numbers, what evidence have you provided to support your opinion that he's not athletic enough to play any cornerback position?

 

[TX-FinFan]

I just get worried when we keep shifting players around. It sets them back in their development long term. Still waiting for Tunsil to become a better than avg LT in year 3.

 

[John813]

Just hope they find the right spot for him and keep him there.

Dallas has swapped Byron Jones for years now. New DB coach has kept him at corner and he looks good so far on the outside. They had him all over the place his rookie year(FS/Slot/Outside) and he admitted it was a lot to take in. Then since they are el-cheapo at the safety position they stuck him there where he never was comfortable till this year where he is back at CB.

Minkah may have the ability/athleticism to play anywhere but few can actually pull it off in the NFL

 

[Kyndig]

I just get worried when we keep shifting players around. It sets them back in their development long term. Still waiting for Tunsil to become a better than avg LT in year 3.

That's a fair point, It looks like in the beginning of the year Fitzpatrick will likely start at nickel CB. Who knows where he will end up being mid season?

 

[hoops]

Just hope they find the right spot for him and keep him there.

Dallas has swapped Byron Jones for years now. New DB coach has kept him at corner and he looks good so far on the outside. They had him all over the place his rookie year(FS/Slot/Outside) and he admitted it was a lot to take in. Then since they are el-cheapo at the safety position they stuck him there where he never was comfortable till this year where he is back at CB.

Minkah may have the ability/athleticism to play anywhere but few can actually pull it off in the NFL

Byron jones is an interesting ask/comp. I think you will find athletically that they are 2 different levels.

The comp that makes the most sense to me athletically is Malcolm Jenkins. Mirror images in fact and Jenkins was a primarily college boundary corner kicked to safety long term in the pros.

Minkah primary slot corner in college kicked to safety long term in the pros.

 

[Beach Bum]

I was very down on the pick when we made it, hell I think I said prior to the draft I was fine with any of the elite talent pick as long as it wasn't Vea or Fitzpatrick. I still think Tremaine Edmunds filled more of a need and has the higher ceiling, I also would have done what I had to to secure Josh Rosen. However in pre-season alone I have been very pleasantly surprised, he's a superstar of the future if developed correctly, do we have the coaching staff to get the best out of him though is the debate.

I was just the opposite. I am so glad we went with the safer option instead of taking a higher risk player, or giving away our entire draft to move up for Rosen. We have been burned by so-called high ceiling players many times before. It's about time they went with one of the safer picks in the draft even if his ceiling or our need might not be as high. Bucky Brooks says it best, it's better to hit doubles than try for the homerun and strike out. If Fitzpatrick and Gesicki are considered doubles, I will take that every time.

 

[Phinatic8u]

I was just the opposite. I am so glad we went with the safer option instead of taking a higher risk player, or giving away our entire draft to move up for Rosen. We have been burned by so-called high ceiling players many times before. It's about time they went with one of the safer picks in the draft even if his ceiling or our need might not be as high. Bucky Brooks says it best, it's better to hit doubles than try for the homerun and strike out. If Fitzpatrick and Gesicki are considered doubles, I will take that every time.

This talk about Minkah's ceiling not being as high as others is laughable..

That kid will be an elite defender in the NFL, as soon as his rookie year.

 

[Namor]

Christ,guys!!!..Yes...we do have problems on our D,and no, Minkah isn't one of them...

 

[Classic]

I like the versatility. When I watch him play he looks well beyond his years, he doesn't look like a rookie out there. He exudes confidence and his play has matched thus far.

I'm not an X's and O's guru but don't you think it would be wise to get him acclimated at one position and excel before playing musical chairs with the kid? We need a FS because our current one is a liability in coverage if you ask me.

 

[Beach Bum]

This talk about Minkah's ceiling not being as high as others is laughable..

That kid will be an elite defender in the NFL, as soon as his rookie year.

Actually, it isn't this talk, it was that talk and I was going by the draft reports at the time. I am saying that I like that we took Fitzpatrick, so chill.