Why NFL views Steelers Minkah Fitzpatrick as top safety in the league

A panel of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts think Steelers Minkah Fitzpatrick is the top safety in the league. Here’s why they’re not wrong. 

Many Steelers fans feel as though Minkah Fitzpatrick has been disrespected in offseason rankings in 2021. Earlier this year, Pro Football Focus’s Sam Monson had Fitzpatrick ranked 5th on his list of the best safeties heading into the 2021 season. He also had a list in which he ranked five other players ahead of Minkah who were under the age of 25 in the NFL.

Where these rankings are subjective and bias plays a role, perhaps it would be best to here it what NFL personnel had to say on the matter. Fortunately, that’s what ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler was able to do. According to a list comprised of 60 NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, the consensus had Minkah Fitzpatrick rated as the top safety in the league.

These NFL personnel members had some extremely high praise for the young Steelers safety. One anonymous NFL executive called Fitzpatrick the “most complete safety in the game” while an NFC coach praised him for his instincts and his return ability with the ball in his hands.

It’s interesting to see that Fowler’s poll showed that NFL personnel think more highly of Minkah Fitzpatrick than any other safety in the league. Personally, I think you can certainly make the case that Minkah is the most valuable young safety in the NFL.

Steelers Minkah Fitzpatrick deserves to be considered top safety in NFL

Just like every position, there’s always going to be a debate as to which player is going to be the best in the upcoming NFL season. While Fitzpatrick is still very young (still just 24 years old), I can make a strong case that he should be considered as the best in the NFL at his position.

In addition two earning two First-Team All-Pros by his age-23 season in 2020, Fitzpatrick also has more takeaway-worthy plays than any other safety in the NFL since joining the Steelers in 2019. It’s a huge asset to be able to be a ballhawk in the secondary, and Fitzpatrick is quickly shaping up to be one of the best of this generation.

Coinciding with high takeaway rate, Fitzpatrick has allowed one of the lowest quarterback ratings since coming to Pittsburgh. In 2019 with the Steelers, many thought he should have been in strong contention for Defensive Player of the Year after allowing just 6.5 yards per target and a 46.3 passer rating, according to advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference. Last year, that number increased to a 65.7 passer rating allowed, but it was still among the best defensive backs in the NFL.

With his best years likely still ahead of him, it would be hard to justify taking any other safety in the league over Fitzpatrick – especially considering his elite production and two-time All-Pro status. At this rate, Minkah is on a Hall of Fame pace and is quickly becoming one of the best safeties of this generation.