Pittsburgh Steelers: Three Early Predictions for Minkah Fitzpatrick
By Chris Ross
![MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 25: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after making the tackle in the second quarter during a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at Hard Rock Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 25: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after making the tackle in the second quarter during a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at Hard Rock Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/e5c8ff5977ac7da66b4dc4950f6f8a605ed797e1a9bc0df230080e339659035e.jpg)
Will Become Pittsburgh’s Best Defensive Player
If you haven’t noticed so far, these predictions suggest a huge season from Pittsburgh’s new acquisition. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that Fitzpatrick may prove to be the Steelers’ best defensive player by the time this season comes to an end. As stated earlier, the Steelers have plenty of talented players on the defensive side of the ball, but Fitzpatrick is just on another level. Take his Alabama career for example; Nick Saban, the notoriously tight-lipped coach, gushed about Fitzpatrick prior to his final season at Alabama.
If you want to get a grasp of how important Minkah Fitzpatrick is to Alabama this season, hear what Nick Saban said about him today pic.twitter.com/1YGdmmGDA6
— Ñic Gulas (@Nic_Gulas) August 17, 2017
Sure, the Steelers have talent but expect Fitzpatrick to be the guy that puts it all together and ultimately emerges as the team’s defensive leader. In terms of natural talent, he is the best defensive back the Steelers have had on the roster since Polamalu, and he could end up having the same type of impact on this team. Even in Miami, where things ended poorly, Fitzpatrick was seen as a potential cornerstone. On a team that wants him around and has paid a premium to secure his services, nobody should be surprised when he lives up to his immense potential.
From coverage to run support, this guy has displayed elite skills. Despite the massive expectations being placed on him because of what the Steelers gave up for him, Minkah Fitzpatrick has the ability to change how this team is viewed around the NFL, especially when it comes to the underperforming defense. With big things on the horizon, expect a new Steelers great to emerge.