Oakland Raiders 2018 NFL Draft: 5 defensive backs to take in first round
By John Buhler
You knew he was going to show up on this list, right? Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick is the real deal. He has to be the best defensive back prospect in the 2018 NFL Draft process. He was a two-time All-American and a two-time national champion playing for Nick Saban in college. Fitzpatrick didn’t need a fourth year of college anyway. He’s just too good.
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At 6-foot-1, 202 pounds, Fitzpatrick could play several positions in an NFL secondary. His best spot would have to be at free safety, a position where he could emulate Jalen Ramsey or Tyrann Mathieu. Yes, Fitzpatrick has that kind of hype coming out of Alabama. There’s almost no way he falls out of the top 10 this spring.
In three years of college ball, Fitzpatrick recorded 171 total tackles (110 solo, 61 assists), 24 pass breakups, 16.5 tackles for a loss of yardage, nine interceptions, four of which went back for touchdowns and two forced fumbles.
Next: Raiders NFL Draft: 5 front-seven players to take in first round
It’s not if Fitzpatrick is going in the top-10, it’s where. Not to say that the Raiders should trade up to draft a defensive back, but Fitzpatrick is that special of a player to where maybe you would consider that. While he’ll probably be off the board before the Raiders pick at No. 9 or 10, Fitzpatrick would have to be in a small group of players that Oakland would use its top-10 pick on this spring.