How do you define an “x-factor” on an NFL team? Is it that special player who has those intangible skills that make them so valuable to a team? If this is how you define it, then the Pittsburgh Steelers choice for x-factor by the 33rd Team makes a lot of sense.
Author Andy Benoit gave safety Minkah Fitzpatrick the nod here thanks to all the special things he can do in the secondary. Here’s a snippet of what he said about Fitzpatrick’s impact.
As a deep safety, he has an uncanny sense for nuanced positioning and body angles that lend helpful presence to teammates and cause hesitation in the quarterback. Impressively, in Pittsburgh’s man coverages, Fitzpatrick displays these traits on the move as a rover. They show up when he drops down as the buzz defender in zone coverage.
Fitzpatrick has established himself as the best all-around safety in the NFL and is the most important guy in the secondary. Even more than that, Fitzpatrick is the guy who can completely flip his game if the front seven isn’t doing its job against the run. We saw this in 2021 when Fitzpatrick led the team in tackles after being forced to be a run defender first and foremost. This shows not only how good Fitzpatrick is but his willingness is to do what is best for the team.
These players may make or break your team's season
📝 via @Andy_Benoit pic.twitter.com/p1fX2EAb1C
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) June 28, 2023
