Minkah Fitzpatrick no longer the top-ranked safety in NFL

Former Alabama Crimson Tide football safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has been a star in the NFL since he was drafted in the first round of the 2018 draft by the Miami Dolphins. His talents were only put on full display for the nation to marvel at after he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019.

For a while, Fitzpatrick’s abilities led many fans and experts to praise him as the top safety, and overall defensive back, in the entire league.

A recent ranking of the best safeties in the NFL ahead of the 2024 season has him ranked No. 3, with two highly-respected players listed above him.

The ranking, done by Jared Dubin of CBS Sports has Kyle Hamilton of the Baltimore Ravens and Antoine Winfield Jr. of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 2 and No. 1, respectively. As for Fitzpatrick, Dubin points to time missed in 2023 for the reason he has fallen in the rankings.

“This next group is on a different level than most other safeties. Even with Fitzpatrick missing some time last year, he still found a way to make an impact at all three levels of the defense. After beginning his career as a corner, he still has some of the best coverage abilities of any safety, and he is a turnover-forcing machine both deep down the field and close to the line of scrimmage.”

Fitzpatrick and the Steelers are preparing for the upcoming regular season, which is set to begin in just over a month. Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow former Alabama players in the NFL, as well as all things Alabama football news as the 2024 offseason progresses.

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