Why Minkah Fitzpatrick Was THE Right Pick

Fitzpatrick has the most crucial ingredient to NFL success

Fitzpatrick: highly cerebral, rabid desire for perfection, athletic talent

The Miami Dolphins drafted Minkah Fitzpatrick #11 in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft last night. Many were surprised that he dropped that far. But Phinsnews predicted that 4 QBs would go in the Top 10 and drive some exceptional talent down the boards to Miami. We thought Edmunds or Smith would be that talent. We had little hope that Fitzpatrick would be there too. Miami was very, very fortunate that he was.

But according to Greg Rosenthal ranked the Dolphins as the biggest losers:

Of course, Ray Lewis might disagree. He called Minkah “can’t miss” and a “culture changer”.

But what’s Ray ‘got’ on Greggie? Right?

 

Phinsnews wrote back in April that a secondary pick with #11 wasn’t needed… unless one player, Fitzpatrick, had an unexpected drop down the boards because he could make this passing defense special.

Let’s get a closer look at WHO Fitzpatrick is

Dan Canova wrote about Minkah in an excellent article well worth the read (here):

He (Minkah) woke up at 5:30 a.m. at 14 years old.

He would carpool with St. Peter’s Prep head coach Rich Hansen to Jersey City every single day, and when he returned home after football practice around 8 p.m., he would work with his dad repairing his Old Bridge home until the wee hours of the morning.

Then 5:30 a.m. would come… and he’d do it all over again.

He was forced to become a man as a young boy.

Meet Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Driven to succeed with a lunch pail mentality and a rare combination of speed, agility, and size

Okay, beyond all the vagaries, why was Minkah THE correct pick over Vea or Edmunds?

Miami’s primary defensive flaws in 2017 were lack of turnovers, inability to play Cover 1 (Man) successfully, and allowed opposing team’s Tight Ends to run roughshod. Fitzpatrick will go a long way towards correcting all these flaws. His intelligence, athletic talent, ability to ‘QB’  the secondary, range and ball skills will dramatically improve this defense. He has the ability to play Single High (freeing CBs to use more press and man), can come up in the box, man cover RBs, TEs, and WRs, blitz, and also provide run support.

Edmunds has large question marks about his instincts, technique, and knowledge of the game. Vea has technique issues, conditioning concerns, and questions about his ability to pass rush. As a Free Safety / Hybrid, Fitzpatrick is nearly flawless and has one of, if not the, highest floors of any prospect in the 2018 Draft.

This is a very big win, folks!!!

Forget about the woes of the 2017 pass-D, Fitzpatrick has given this secondary a serious enema!!!

Matt Burke wants to run a complex defense. Now he has the man to run it through in Fitzpatrick… a.k.a Saban Jr. This acquisition will also allow a crucial thing to happen: the shuffling off of Kiko Alonso from pass coverage duties!

Yes, there were positional needs elsewhere. But Fitzpatrick’s acquisition will help correct fundamental flaws… and that’s more critical than positional concerns.

Now despite all this upside, this semi-luxury pick still leaves Miami with three ‘needs’ remaining: LB, TE, and DT. Gase and Grier must nail at least two of these positions with their remaining picks. For me, Defensive Tackle and Tight End are the most critical. But, so far so good. Go Phins!!!

21 comments

  • Steve

    This is the bottom line! I need to sleep on it.

    6 (209) Cornell Armstrong
    https://youtu.be/4T0G9iM-BZA

    7 (227)Quentin Poling
    (Ohio LB) vs Troy 2016
    https://youtu.be/c_i7j6yPa8A

    7 (229) Jason Sanders
    https://youtu.be/9kDjhy6fIKc

    Dolphins 2018 Draft Picks
    R1.11 (11): Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama
    R2.10 (42): Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State
    R3.9 (73): Jerome Baker, LB, Ohio State
    R4.23 (123) (from CLE via CAR): Durham Smythe, TE, Notre Dame
    R4.31 (131) (from NE via PHI): Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State
    R6.35 (209) (from LAR via KC): Cornell Armstrong, DB, Southern Miss
    R7.9 (227) (from SF)
    R7.11 (229)

  • Dunner

    6 = QB (Falk, White), WR (Wilson), OL (Tooth, not available for 2 years, Clapp), DT (Norton), K (Carlson), OLB (Moore, Rolland-Jones), ILB (Deluca), CB (Meeks)

    Admin, how about DT Hurst going in the 5th?

    • admin

      I like that he went to the Raiders… Like Gruden… I loved John Randle… one of my three all time favs. If he ends up that good, I’ll be happy and disappointed. White didn’t get drafted… told you I don’t know college QBs.

  • Steve

    A second Tight End 4th round Smythe is a solid blocker for sure,his blocking assignment he does his job. Notre Dame did not use him much as receiver, I think a good receiver. His role was blocking.

    Combine work out
    https://youtu.be/yYhRUdW5gKo

    Vs Virginia
    https://youtu.be/Ox8J3oiTEvI

    Notre Vs Texas
    https://youtu.be/3XS5X7qhQ_o

    Watch “Durham Smythe (Notre Dame. Vs LSU

    https://youtu.be/U6GiPwewR10

    Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
    Ballage has not tap into his talents yet. But very well could be the steal. The key with both players utilize their strengths to benefit the Dolphins.

    https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2014/kalen-ballage-13619

    The Dolphins so far has not committed to the sucker deals. Great job Dolphins. I see 3 starters already this is very important for us. That these guy contribute to the success of our team. We must get this right.

  • Dunner

    Not sure what this draft will lead to, but I will say it has been the easiest to mock thus far. Don’t know if thats a good thing or not? They’re picks make sense. Was hoping for a DT in the forth, but I like the double down on the TE spot(s). A RB also made sense, especially a big back (now we just need to get a lead to utilize him).
    Speaking Of TE, Fasano can now announce his retirement, Smythe is our new Fasano. Fasano had good career.
    I hear you with LBer Baker, about speed. Fitz is a speed guy also. Defensive speed increases as well.
    Can you say 2 TE set(s)?
    Is the sixth rounder going to be Steve and my guy = Shimonek, local guy = Alex McGough?
    Still need a kicker with one of the last 3 picks (don’t we?)!

  • Dunner

    There it is; a much needed LBer. Not to bad, his strength is coverage, off the ball. Like it. 4th round will be DT, QB, RB.

    Nice draft thus far. This team is shaping up nice.

    • admin

      Not crazy about this LB. Speed, but he’s small, soft, and lacks instincts. We have Kiko for that… least he is fairly big. Anthony, who I love, is big but an avg engager of blocks. McMillian is okay from his college tape… we needed a SLB and we got another WLB. Not feeling it.

  • Dunner

    Theres the TE. Gesicki, another J.Thomas when Thomas was in Denver. Gesicki’s numbers are off the chart. He will not lose a jump ball scenario. Couple DTs were on board. A decent one should be there? R.Freeman possibility? Rudolph? One of four LBers; Carter, Jefferson, Baker, Bates?

    Nice little start

    • admin

      Pretty weak TE class overall. I like the pick, yeah Thomas all over–good point… but at least he’s young version and has speed. So the swap of Thomas for Gesicki is a step forward.

  • Richard Andrews

    Reading these comments I fully understand the frustration. To be honest, I too was like wft when we had Edmunds right there and we opted for Fitzpatrick. But after a night of thinking about it, this really is a great choice. We have been easy to game plan against (for years!) and it does not take a offensive coordinator savant to figure out our weaknesses since we can’t cover TE’s or running backs in 3 wide receiver sets. The fact this kid can cover, play high safety (which we did not have), play near the line & blitz… offenses will have to guess with us now versus KNOW how to best attack. There are some very good options in this draft for LB’s that can run, cover and even play strongside LB (Gernard Avery is my choice in the 4th). And regarding a QB, I’m personally betting on the fact Tannehill comes back better then he was before (wishful, maybe but it is what I believe but outside of Darnell the rest had major question marks in different areas for each). I’ve been a Fin Fan probably longer than most of you (which only mean I’m old) but this was a really good pick imho. My two cents for what it’s worth….

    • admin

      Hey Richard… I’ve been a fan since 78… I’m supposing you’re like Lemmus and been around since the start… I had glory days ‘light’… must have been nice to see wins in the championship!! This is M.J. BTW… I loved the pick from the start, but sorta’ wanted Vea as I believe in inside out on defense. Edmunds has poor instincts (correctable), but he is a freak physically–like Vea. But both Vea and Edmunds would need to be babied and brought along a bit. Both have an amazing ceiling, but their floor is lower than Minkah’s. Minkah has a freakish will, commitment, and dedication and only good physical attributes. He reminds me of Rice or Lot in their total commitment, but with only good athletics (comparatively speaking). After a long study of him, I think he will win every Phin fan over. Watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64zanXcc1mQ This kid will walk into the locker and own it quick. He is a leader and is loved by coaches and players because he is 100% sold out. This is said very often by many players–100% commitment, but in truth, is extremely rare. He will shame vets on his work ethic and prep and inspire the pups. This isn’t hyperbole. He will run that secondary. He will change this defense. This kid is so rare. The offensvie Line’s improvement will def. help Tannehill. He is good enough and has a real chance to move into that 8-14 top QB’s if he stays healthy and has a decent surrounding cast. And this too is my two cents 🙂 Good to hear from you… you and Lemmus (when he gets back from the snake bite) will get along well…

  • Steve

    Hello Dol-Fans

    Possible straight pick scenario:

    42nd Harrison Phillips Stanford Sr DT or Tim Settle Virginia Tech Soph DT
    73rd Third Picked: Nic Shimonek Texas Tech
    123rd Fourth Picked: Royce Freeman Running Back BELIEVE HIS FUTURE IS WITH THE DOLPHINE’S
    131 Jason Cabinda https://youtu.be/Fcl_k9lcHbA

    Slide back a little for another 3rd rounder and take:
    3rd round Mark Andrews Oklahoma
    OR
    5th rounder with a trade back awarded
    Troy Fumagalli Wisconsin Sr TE 6

    WE STILL HAVE OPTION TO BRING ETHAN WOLF TO CAMP IN ADDITION AFTER DRAFT.
    THE DOLPHINS MUST UTILIZED THE SAME DISCIPLINE USED LAST NIGHT AND NOT OVER REACT OR OVER PAY FOR PLAYERS.

    With our Running Backs if we missed on the Great one’s! We have the option at
    Bo Scarbrough Alabama in the 7th round (He was rated at the beginning of 2017 season in the top but failed in the season for injuries etc.) https://youtu.be/6XqkYjdxXP4

    • admin

      We need DT’s at this stage we will need to grab two. One in the 4th and one late as insurance… I guess you could find a vet after the draft… maybe they are big believers in Phillips… he could be a star… if he’d take his commitment to the next level. We are just so thin and have some big ? inside… I would have liked to trade down in the 3rd… seems like they got nervous when Warner was taken just before them

  • Steve

    We did great last night with the 1st pick. we did not need to trade back last night but tonight we may have too in order to filled our order of needs? I like luke faulk but I believed Nic Shimonek will not quit and understand how to handle adversity. Which makes him a winner in my book. The QB position was not handed to him, he had to battle for the QB spot and prevailed three years most would have quit.

    42nd move to picked 60 with the Steeler and take Royce Freeman Running Back Or Grice LSU
    (for a 3rd @ 92 possibly go at: Fred Warner BYU Sr OLB
    and 4th @ 124nd possibly go at: Micah Kiser Virginia Sr ILB https://youtu.be/3rudUli5hTU
    Or just go at Philips Stanford or Tim Settle Virginia

    Regular pick
    3rd round
    73rd Mark Andrews Oklahoma Jr TE

    Regular picks
    4th round 123rd Nic Shimonek Texas Tech
    4th round 131st Jason Cabinda Ilb https://youtu.be/Fcl_k9lcHb

    • admin

      Liked the Gesicki pick… not so much with Baker. We need some bulls inside with this soft of an LB group.