Players who have stood out in NFL preseason

#12 Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Dolphins

I had Fitzpatrick as my number four overall prospect in the draft and to me he was the final can’t-miss guy available, So the Dolphins had to be thrilled that he fell to them at pick number 11. The biggest question mark with Minkah throughout the draft process was the fact he didn’t have a clearly defined position, but with the NFL demanding more versatility every year from their players, I don’t see a problem here.

The Alabama DB started his collegiate career on the outside, but stepped in at free safety once Eddie Jackson went down with an injury in 2016 and played a variety of roles for the Tide last year when he played some single-high, but also covered slot receivers and lined up as a dime linebacker. While I believe his natural position in the league will be free safety, his versatility is nothing but a plus.

Fitzpatrick has already shown what kind of a pure football player he is throughout preseason. Versus the Bucs, he covered guys down the field, separated receivers from the ball and simply brought energy to his defense. In the second game versus Carolina, the Dolphins used him primarily at nickel, where he consistently carried receivers down the seams and took them away, staying step for step with speedsters.

In the Baltimore game, he lined up some in the box and blew up a screen to Kenneth Dixon. I think he and Reshad Jones will make an excellent safety duo, because it allows Jones to roam around and their corners to be aggressive because Minkah has the range to clean things up as an air-traffic controller.

With TJ McDonald as their third safety, they can move the rookie around however and ask him to drop down into the slot if needed in a specific matchup.

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Honorable Mentions

Roc Thomas, RB, Vikings

James Conner, RB, Steelers

Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals

Royce Freeman, RB, Broncos

Taysom Hill, QB, Saints

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs

Taywan Taylor, WR, Titans

James Kumerow, WR, Packers

James Washington, WR, Steelers

Tre’Quan Smith, WR, Saints

Carl Lawson & Jordan Willis, Edge, Bengals

Harold Landry, Edge, Titans

Arden Key & Maurice Hurst, DL, Raiders

Andrew Billings, DL, Bengals

Roy Robertson-Harris, DL, Bears

Barkevious Mingo, LB, Seahawks

Jah’Waun Bentley, LB, Patriots

Darius Leonard, LB, Colts

Oren Burks, LB, Packers

Nick Nelson, CB, Raiders

Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Cowboys

DeShon Elliott, S, Ravens