The players have spoken: Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is once again one of the top-100 players in the NFL entering the 2024 campaign.
According to Christian Gonzales of NFL.com, Fitzpatrick came in at No. 79 this year on the list, which is voted on by players. However, that spot is 61 places lower than where he was in 2023.
Here's how Gonzales summed up Fitzpatrick's placement on the list:
Last season was one that Fitzpatrick would like to put behind him even after earning his fourth Pro Bowl honor. Fitzpatrick caught the injury bug and missed seven games, but his peers clearly believe that the safety’s talents as a whole and his ball-hawking play warrants him remaining on the exclusive list. Fitzpatrick is looking forward to turning things around as he wants to return to playing “Minkah ball” in 2024.
Despite missing seven games due to injury, Fitzpatrick still played at a high level, so his fall isn't easily explained.
The Alabama product's 56.3% completion rate and 80.6 passer rating allowed were his best marks in a few years, and he still managed to earn a Pro Bowl nod — his third in four years — further proving he's among the elite players at his position.
Fitzpatrick will hope to stay on the field more in 2024, and if he can, he'll likely move up this list in 2025.
