The San Francisco 49ers are hosting defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick from Alabama for a pre-draft visit on Monday and Tuesday, according to a report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. News of the visit was first reported last week by the Sacramento Bee.
More visits: #Iowa CB Josh Jackson has Top 30 visits with the #Bills, #Titans and #Bucs this week. … #Bama DB Minkah Fitzpatrick is visiting the #49ers today & tomorrow. … #Memphis WR Anthony Miller is with the #Panthers today.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 9, 2018
Nine of the 67 mock drafts that we surveyed have the 49ers selecting Fitzpatrick. That ranks third among prospects mocked to San Francisco behind just cornerback Denzel Ward of Ohio State and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds of Virginia Tech.
Fitzpatrick registered 171 combined tackles with 16.5 for a loss, five sacks, nine interceptions, 24 passes defensed, and two forced fumbles in three seasons with Alabama, according to Sports Reference. He also returned four of those nine interceptions for touchdowns.
In 2017, Fitzpatrick recorded 60 combined tackles with eight for a loss, 1.5 sacks, an interception, seven passes defensed, and a forced fumble. In 2016, he led the team with six interceptions, 186 interception return yards, and two touchdowns while setting a school record with four (his other two pick-sixes came in 2015).
RELATED 49ers 2018 Pre-Draft Visit/Meeting Tracker
Fitzpatrick is viewed as a versatile player who can play safety or cornerback.
"I'm strongest covering man-to-man, whether that be inside corner, outside corner or even just at safety coming down and covering man-to-man," Fitzpatrick told CBS Cleveland in March. "That's what I did pretty much all my career at Alabama, I usually covered the top receiver on the offensive side of the ball, unless he just stayed outside all the time, but if he was a guy that moved around, I'd follow him around."
At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6-foot-1 and 201-pound Fitzpatrick had a 40-time of 4.46 seconds, a vertical jump of 33 inches, a broad jump of 121 inches, and had 14 reps in the bench press.
NFL.com projects Fitzpatrick to be a first-round draft pick.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, who compares Fitzpatrick to Antrel Rolle, wrote the following within his scouting report:
"Fitzpatrick turns up the intensity level as high as it will go and and rips off the knob until the game is over. Fitzpatrick has experience as a slot cornerback, but will likely be targeted as a "do-everything" safety who can be deployed as a sub-package linebacker, a blitzer or in the slot against big receivers and move tight ends. Fitzpatrick has consistently shined since his freshman season on Alabama defenses that have been loaded with NFL talent. His versatility, football character and desire to succeed should make him an early starter."
Measurables
Height: 6-1
Weight: 201 lbs.
NFL Scouting Combine
40-time: 4.46 seconds
Vertical: 33 inches
Broad jump: 121 inches
Bench press: 14 reps
College Statistics
Year | G | Tkl | PD | Int | Yds |
2015 | 14 | 45 | 11 | 2 | 88 |
2016 | 15 | 66 | 7 | 6 | 186 |
2017 | 13 | 60 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
Totals | 42 | 171 | 26 | 9 | 274 |