Carter's Classroom: What makes Minkah special ☕ taken at Rooney Complex (Steelers)

The Steelers' trade of a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft to the Dolphins for Minkah Fitzpatrick is a major addition to this ever-changing secondary. He joins Joe HadenTerrell Edmunds and Steven Nelson as starters this team has added in the past three seasons.

But Fitzpatrick is different.

He was a standout safety at Alabama two years ago, good enough to be the 11th overall pick with 24 passes defensed, nine interceptions and four of those for touchdowns. And as a rookie with Miami, he had nine passes defensed with two interceptions. On top of the ball skills, he's been a playmaker at strong and free safety, as well as outside and slot cornerback.

The Dolphins used Fitzpatrick primarily as a slot corner because of his quickness in space and ability to jump passes in his area.

Remember two weeks ago when Tom Brady went to Phillip Dorsett out of the slot four times for four catches, gaining 95 yards and two touchdowns against the Steelers?

Here's Fitzpatrick covering Dorsett out of the slot last season. Notice how he gets right in Dorsett's hip pocket in his seam route. Brady thinks he can throw a tight strike down the seam with the safety stuck in the middle of the field, but Fitzpatrick jumps the route and picks it off:

Fitzpatrick's footwork in space is impressive. He can change directions, start and stop on a dime and maintain field awareness to make plays on the ball, even as receivers try to shake him off.

Watch how he plays this wheel route from Anthony Miller of the Bears. The route starts from the slot to the flat, where Fitzpatrick is comfortable not jumping the route, knowing he can make the tackle for little or no gain. Then Miller turns up field and tries a stutter step to trip up Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick sticks with him the whole way, even breaking up the pass by putting his hand directly between Millers', executing perfect technique while making those adjustments:

Fitzpatrick has premier instincts for a young player. Not only is his footwork great in covering various routes, but he senses out when plays are developing to make splash plays. Watch this interception agains the Vikings when he sniffs out the screen pass to Stephon Diggs. He jumps it easily and takes it for a touchdown:

Fitzpatrick's instincts also come into play at the line when he's working through blockers and making tackles. He exhibits the same instincts on that interception as in this play below, but this time he fights through a block to bring Dede Westbrook down for a tackle for loss:

He's not afraid of being physical while also being a playmaker. He's stuck his nose in plenty of tough situations to make tackles. It's difficult finding defensive backs that can be playmakers against the pass and contribute against the run, but he has the size (6-1, 205) and speed (4.46 40-yd) to do it.

Watch how he comes up to take on Leonard Fournette by himself in space and makes a solid solo tackle. He breaks down and doesn't jump to launch himself. Instead he wraps up Fournette and throws him down:

Fitzpatrick could be an answer at slot cornerback or free safety for the Steelers. His diversity in the secondary could allow the Steelers to have a more effective three safety package if he replaces Kameron Kelly when Sean Davis returns from injury.

But make no mistake, Fitzpatrick will be on the field as much as Edmunds once he's gotten up to speed with the Steelers. He's too talented for just being a slot cornerback and should be a game-changer.

Carter’s Classroom needs your help! We are seeking sponsors for the 2019 NFL season that would be willing to see their brand grow through advertising with us. All interested parties should contact me at christopher@dkpittsburghsports.com.

MORE CLASSROOM

September 16: Execution trumps scheme

September 14: Own the Seahawks’ trenches

September 13: How to set the Seattle tone

September 12: Blind to Belichick’s disguises

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