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NFL Mock Draft 9.0: Quarterbacks push defensive prospects down board

By Jacob Camenker

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs walks in to the locker room prior to the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs walks in to the locker room prior to the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 05: Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (DB51) runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 05: Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (DB51) runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

12. player. 31. . Defensive Back. Alabama. Minkah Fitzpatrick

By trading down, the Giants can ensure that they will land a high-quality player for their defense while picking up some extra value. With this selection, they will be picking between Tremaine Edmunds, Marcus Davenport, and Minkah Fiztpatrick. But, of all the players available, Fitzpatrick is probably the best on the board.

Fitzpatrick had a great career at Alabama and he was a leader of the team’s strong secondary. Fitzpatrick has excellent range and coverage skills, and he is a natural fit as a hybrid defensive back at the next level. He could be a centerfield type safety or play in the box. He also profiles as an excellent slot cornerback, and that will allow him to have early success at the NFL level.

For the Giants, Fitzpatrick would make some sense. The team could use an upgrade at safety next to Landon Collins, as Darian Thompson was merely decent in his second season. Adding Fitzpatrick would allow the Giants to use Thompson in a backup role, and that could prove to be beneficial for the team’s defense.

Report: Redskins will take Minkah Fitzpatrick if he's available at pick 13

Also, Fitzpatrick could be used as the primary slot cornerback for the team. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was released by the team in the offseason as he refused a move to safety. The departure of Rodgers-Cromartie has left a massive hole at the slot spot, and Fitzpatrick could easily fill that hole.

This is just about as low as Fitzpatrick could go in this draft. We already know that he won’t make it past the Redskins with the No. 13 pick, and it’s possible that he could go as high as the No. 7 pick to the Buccaneers. For now, he’s a good fit with the Giants.

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