The other day, we were group-texting back and forth about the Sports Illustrated list of best defenders. Minkah Fitzpatrick was listed as third by SI, behind Derwin James and Ed Oliver. While I think it may be a tossup with Ed Oliver, I maintain that there is no defender more versatile, athletic, and capable of changing a game quite like Sixpatrick. And, I certainly think he’s better than James, coming of a serious knee injury.
To no one’s surprise, both Minkah Fitzpatrick and defensive tackle/nose tackle Daron Payne made the preseason Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist, given to the nation’s top defender.