Minkah Fitzpatrick was the first Alabama player off the board during Thursday’s NFL Draft when he was selected with the No. 11 pick in the first round by the Miami Dolphins. The selection marks the 10th straight year Alabama has had at least one player taken in the first round, the longest active streak by any school.
Fitzpatrick is the seventh former Alabama defensive back taken in the first round since 2010, joining Marlon Humphrey (Baltimore Ravens, 2017), Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (Green Bay Packers, 2014), Dee Milliner (New York Jets 2013), Mark Barron, (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2012), Dre Kirkpatrick (Cincinnati Bengals, 2012) and Kareem Jackson (Houston Texans,2010).
Fitzpatrick won both the Bednarik and Thorpe awards last season, becoming just the third player in NCAA history to earn both honors. He was also selected as a unanimous All-American by the five major outlets (Walter Camp, FWAA, Associated Press, Sporting News and AFCA) and was named a primary team captain by his teammates.
The do-it-all defensive back played at multiple spots in Alabama’s secondary last year, finishing with 60 tackles, eight for a loss, with 1.5 sacks, 3 quarterback hurries, eight pass breakups and an interception. He also forced a fumble and blocked a field goal. Fitzpatrick finished his three-year Alabama career with four interceptions returned for touchdowns to set the school record.
Fitzpatrick might have slipped in the draft due to teams not knowing exactly where he will play at the next level. The 6-foot, 204-pound defensive back is projected by most to play safety but also has the size to go up against tight ends or rush the passer out of sub packages.
