Derwin James was my preference for the majority of the draft process. There is no question he has more physical ability than Fitzpatrick. Watch that clip from the top of the OP link. Fitzpatrick is not capable of making a possessed bull rush with plenty of wiggle and chase like James managed on that play.
The all time comedy was when some pundits were calling James merely a box safety.
However, Fitzpatrick is a special player and very sharp. In the final weeks I started to think he might be the better option for Miami. We had tons of coaches on the field during the glory '70s but virtually none recently. When that pick went up to the podium it was a very rare example of not knowing who to root for. The names I had in mind were Fitzpatrick, James and the Virginia Tech linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. I would have been happy with any of them. I remember cringing and then being happy with the Fitzpatrick pick...thinking we went with the safest option, but not the one with greatest upside.
Nobody should be shocked that the bigger more imposing guy is receiving the early acclaim. But we know what we have in Fitzpatrick. Those instincts aren't going away.
As I've emphasized, I believe in picking multiple times early. I really don't care about those midround picks as opposed to multiple tries at a great player. Take the 2, 3 and 4 pick to move up. That would be my preferred strategy. Throw in something else if you have to, like a marginal player. Then start picking again in the 5th round. It may be boring and frustrating to sit out those rounds but that extra elite talent more than makes up for it.
