NFL Draft 2018: Updated ranking of the top 32 draft prospects entering Week 8
Minkah Fitzpatrick
DB, Alabama
Minkah Fitzpatrick is probably the most complete defensive back in college football. His coverage skills are elite, he can take the ball back the other way with ease and he isn’t afraid to get up and make a tackle.
With some of the other defensive backs on the board not having the years they were expected to, Fitzpatrick is taking full advantage and seems like the safe pick for the team that he ultimately lands with in April.
Just because he is going to be the safe pick doesn’t mean he isn’t exciting either. The potential for him to take one to the house at any moment is something that opposing offense’s will have to keep in the back of their mind.
If a team wants to build a defense, he’d be a great first piece to start with. There are plenty of those teams right now and Fitzpatrick is going to be a great leader for one of those teams. He’ll have his chances for more highlights against Tennessee this week.
Derwin James
S, Florida State
If anyone wanted to use game tape to show textbook defense, the Florida State Seminoles’ performance on the road against Duke would be a great place to start. They were very good on multiple levels as they held Duke to just 10 points at home.
Derwin James had an excellent game and arguably his best game of the season. He finished the day with six tackles in the win and his tackling was on point. He showed great technique wrapping up on his tackles.
A lot of superstars can sometimes get a little lazy with their technique, but that wasn’t the case here. Making the hit in the open field and doing it in style is part of the charm that he brings to the field each week.
He’s a top-10 talent that looks healthy and is rounding into shape. As the defense follows suit, he’s going to continue to have a big year as the Seminoles attempt to salvage what is left of their season.