Cleveland Browns: 3 Players Dorsey needs to draft to be AFC North contenders

2. Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama – 6-1, 200 lbs.

No matter what the Browns have to do, Fitzpatrick needs to be their first-round pick. They already have a guy at the safety spot in Jabrill Peppers who is immensely talented, but still needs some time to develop. By pairing him with another talented, but more complete, guy, the Browns could sure up the back end.

The Browns are in desperate need of a guy who can take control and become that field general. Luckily for them, the Alabama defensive back is just that. So much so, that some have dubbed him Nick Saban’s intellectual equal, per Bleacher Report:

"“It’s become clear by now, midway through Fitzpatrick’s junior season at Alabama, that he and Saban are spiritual cousins. Fitzpatrick is the intellectual soul of Saban’s defense, the closest thing Saban has to a proxy on the field.”"

Fitzpatrick’s on-field genius is just part of his game. The athletic defensive back can play multiple positions and coverages. He could line up in the slot, on the edge, and he has the range to excel in that single-high safety role if need be. In fact, at Bama, Fitzpatrick has played primarily inside before being asked to travel and eventually play free safety.

His coverage ability, ball skills and high football IQ are all the things any coach could ask for in a safety. But Fitzpatrick isn’t just some finesse player — as noted by NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah, there’s a toughness to his game. He likes to mix it up against the run and he does a great job when asked to press. With Fitzpatrick, they would have a guy who can not only come in and start right away, but he could play corner early on if need be before moving to safety.