Oakland Raiders: 5 defensive backs to target early in 2018 NFL Draft
By John Buhler
The one defensive back that every in Raider Nation wants is 2017 Alabama Crimson Tide All-American Minkah Fitzpatrick. This kid is something else. He was a two-time All-American at Alabama, the 2017 Chuck Bednarik Award winner, the 2017 Jim Thorpe Award winner and above all, a national champion.
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Fitzpatrick is 6-foot-1, 202 pounds and can play several positions in an NFL defense, whether that is safety or cornerback. It all really depends on how to best feature him. In three years at Alabama, Fitzpatrick played in 42 games, recording 171 total tackles (110 solo, 61 assists), 24 pass breakups, 16.5 tackles for a loss of yardage, nine interceptions for 274 yards and four touchdowns, 5.0 quarterback sacks and two forced fumbles.
He is reminiscent to Tyrann Mathieu when he played for the LSU Tigers and Jalen Ramsey when he played for the Florida State Seminoles. Fitzpatrick is a special defensive back talent. He has elite ball skills, is a hard hitter and will make plays in space as a certain tackler.
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The only issue for the Raiders might be that Fitzpatrick could be off the board before they pick at No. 9 or No. 10. Fitzpatrick could go maybe as high as No. 6 to the New York Jets. There is no way Fitzpatrick falls out of the top-11. Expect the Miami Dolphins to grab him at No. 11 if the Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers pass on him for whatever reason.