Minkah Fitzpatrick Lands at No. 79 on NFL Top 100 List

Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick landed at No. 79 on the NFL Network’s annual Top 100 Players list. It’s Fitzpatrick’s fourth time making the NFL Top 100, which is voted on by the players.

Fitzpatrick joins defensive tackle Cam Heyward, who came in at No. 98, as the second Steelers player to be named on the list.

Fitpatrick received praise from two fellow safeties during the countdown — Isaiah Pola-Mao of the Las Vegas Raiders and Budda Baker of the Arizona Cardinals.

“The way he plays, the way he gets after the ball, as soon as it is, he dissects it,” Pola-Mao said. “Run or pass, he’s on it. He’s already moving.”

Baker added, “He’s one of the best safeties in the league and a guy who is only getting better.”

Fitzpatrick also was commended by teammate Jaylen Warren during the segment.

“I’m glad he’s on my team so I don’t have to go against him,” Warren said.

Fitzpatrick had a down year in 2023, but he is still one of the best safeties in the game. The turnovers where just not there last season. Pro Football Network tabbed Fitzpatrick as the 57-best player in the NFL, 22 slots higher than the NFL Top 100 list.

“Minkah Fitzpatrick is coming off his least productive season as a pro, but injuries were largely to blame for his down year,” Robinson wrote. “Provided Fitzpatrick stays healthy next year, the 27-year-old should return to his elite level of play. He has a nose for the football, but his coverage consistency is that of an elite free safety.Fitzpatrick boasts the length, range, and trigger to cover serious ground on the back end, and he’s not afraid to come forward and hit, either.

The Steelers plan on not moving Fitzpatrick around as much this season. In 2022, Fitzpatrick was the NFL’s co-leader in interceptions with six. Last year, he had no picks. Fitzpatrick hopes to get back to his ball-hawking ways in 2024.

“Just let me play ball,” Fitzpatrick said at OTAs. “That’s it. Minkah ball.”