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Cleveland Browns: 2018 Mock Draft post-combine edition

By Ryan Rosko

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: The Top Draft prospects pose on stage prior to the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: The Top Draft prospects pose on stage prior to the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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TUSCALOOSA, AL – SEPTEMBER 30: Minkah Fitzpatrick TUSCALOOSA, AL – SEPTEMBER 30: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after he and Isaiah Buggs #49 sack Shea Patterson #20 of the Mississippi Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL – SEPTEMBER 30: Minkah Fitzpatrick TUSCALOOSA, AL – SEPTEMBER 30: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after he and Isaiah Buggs #49 sack Shea Patterson #20 of the Mississippi Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Alabama. Minkah Fitzpatrick. 4. player. 53. . DB

I really wanted to put Barkley here but at the ends of the day, that’s not the selection.

Minkah Fitzpatrick can play all six defensive back positions but is best suited at free safety.

With the focus on Fitzpatrick at free safety, the defense can now move others around based off of matchups. Remember, today’s NFL isn’t like it was. It is not just a 4/3 or 3/4 base kind of league anymore. Rather the defenses are more 4-2-5 and things of that nature.

Speaking of matchups, Fitzpatrick is that matchup defender when needed. Whether he is covering certain wide receivers on the outside/inside, the occasional tight end, or in the box as a linebacker, Fitzpatrick has the physicality and athleticism to do it all.

Depending on what Cleveland does in free agency will dictate how much time he is where, but expect free safety to be his primary responsibility. If however, Cleveland were to add a free safety in free agency, Barkley is the pick without any hesitation.

Fitzpatrick’ football intelligence cannot be put into numbers but it is evident, which is a big plus for Cleveland. In three seasons, Fitzpatrick racked up 171 tackles, nine interceptions, and 24 pass deflections.

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