You know that feeling when a safety completely changes a defense? That's Minkah Fitzpatrick for you. I remember watching him at Alabama and thinking "this guy's different." Now in the NFL, his stats back up what we saw in college. If you're digging into Minkah Fitzpatrick stats, you're probably trying to understand why he's considered elite or comparing him to other defensive backs. Let's break it down without the fluff.
Who is Minkah Fitzpatrick?
Miami drafted him 11th overall in 2018, but let's be honest - he became Minkah in Pittsburgh. Remember that trade? Dolphins got a first-round pick, Steelers got a game-changer. He's not just a safety - he's a defensive weapon lining up everywhere. That versatility makes his stats fascinating.
Funny story: I argued with a buddy who said Fitzpatrick was overrated after his rookie year. Then came 2019 in Pittsburgh. Five interceptions in eight games? Shut me right up. That's when everyone saw what his stats could really look like in the right system.
Minkah Fitzpatrick Stats: Year-by-Year Breakdown
Raw numbers don't tell the whole story, but they're a heck of a starting point. Let's get into the nitty-gritty of each season.
Rookie Season (2018)
Played all 16 games for Miami. Led all rookie DBs with 80 tackles? Not bad for a guy learning NFL speed. But here's what jumped out:
- 2 interceptions returned for TDs (only rookie to do that)
- 9 passes defended - showed his ball skills early
Not perfect though. Got burned a few times in coverage, which showed up in his 108.9 passer rating allowed (ouch). Still, you saw flashes of greatness.
| Stat Category | Total | Per Game Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Tackles | 80 | 5.0 |
| Solo Tackles | 59 | 3.7 |
| Interceptions | 2 | - |
| Passes Defended | 9 | 0.6 |
| Forced Fumbles | 0 | - |
| Touchdowns | 2 | - |
2019: The Breakout
Man, that trade to Pittsburgh changed everything. Suddenly he looked like the best safety in football.
Started with Miami but exploded after Week 3 trade. Finished with career-high 5 INTs despite missing two games. Check this out:
| Stat | With Dolphins | With Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 2 | 14 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 5 |
| Passes Defended | 1 | 8 |
| Tackles | 11 | 52 |
| Forced Fumbles | 0 | 2 |
His passer rating allowed plummeted to 41.5 with Pittsburgh. That's MVP-level coverage. Earned First-Team All-Pro honors - no fluke.
2020-2022: Consistency King
Here's where Minkah Fitzpatrick stats prove he's no one-hit wonder:
| Season | Tackles | INTs | PD | FF | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 79 | 4 | 11 | 1 | 1st Team |
| 2021 | 124 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 2nd Team |
| 2022 | 96 | 6 | 11 | 0 | 1st Team |
See that 2021 tackle number? 124! That's linebacker territory. Shows how Pittsburgh used him everywhere. His 2022 season might be most impressive though - led NFL with 6 INTs despite missing two games.
Biggest improvement: Run defense. Early in his career, he was decent. By 2021, Pro Football Focus graded him at 85.3 against the run. That's elite for a safety.
2023: The Injury Season
Gotta address the elephant in the room. Hamstring issues limited him to 10 games. Stats took a hit:
- Tackles: 64 (would've been around 100 over 17 games)
- INTs: 0 (first season without a pick)
- Passes Defended: 3 (career low)
Was it concerning? Sure. But watch the tape - when healthy, he still impacted games. QBs avoided him like the plague. I'd bet money on a bounce-back.
Minkah Fitzpatrick Career Stats Summary
Let's zoom out. Career totals through 2023:
| Category | Total | Per Game Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 89 | - |
| Tackles | 479 | 5.4 |
| Solo Tackles | 347 | 3.9 |
| Interceptions | 23 | 0.26 |
| INT Return Yards | 375 | - |
| Touchdowns | 4 | - |
| Passes Defended | 59 | 0.66 |
| Forced Fumbles | 5 | 0.06 |
| Fumble Recoveries | 5 | 0.06 |
*Stats current through end of 2023 season
What stands out? Those 23 INTs in six seasons. For perspective, Troy Polamalu had 32 in 12 seasons. Ed Reed had 64 in 12 years but averaged 0.45 INTs/game vs Minkah's 0.26. Context matters - today's QBs throw less risky passes.
Where He Ranks Among NFL Safeties
Numbers are great, but how do Minkah Fitzpatrick stats stack up against current elites?
| Safety | INTs (2019-2023) | Passes Defended | Tackles | Forced Fumbles | All-Pro Selections |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minkah Fitzpatrick | 17 | 38 | 411 | 3 | 3 |
| Justin Simmons (DEN) | 19 | 38 | 437 | 0 | 2 |
| Kevin Byard (PHI) | 18 | 43 | 475 | 3 | 2 |
| Derwin James (LAC) | 7 | 27 | 464 | 5 | 2 |
| Budda Baker (ARI) | 4 | 28 | 555 | 5 | 2 |
What does this tell us? He's top-3 in picks despite missing games. Fewer tackles than some? True, but Pittsburgh uses him more in coverage than box work. His three First-Team All-Pro nods since 2019? Tied for most among safeties.
Signature Strengths Revealed Through Stats
Ball Hawk Extraordinaire
His interception stats jump off the page:
- 23 career INTs since 2018 (3rd most among DBs)
- 4 career pick-sixes (tied 2nd among active safeties)
- 86.7 career passer rating allowed when targeted (elite)
He reads quarterbacks like they're sending him telegrams. Remember that Baker Mayfield pick in 2019? Textbook baiting.
Versatility By The Numbers
Where he lines up tells another story:
| Alignment | % of Snaps (2022) | Passer Rating Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Free Safety | 67% | 74.3 |
| Box | 21% | 82.9 |
| Slot Corner | 9% | 48.7 |
| Outside Corner | 3% | 118.8* |
*Small sample size - only 18 coverage snaps outside
See that slot rating? 48.7! Almost unfair to put him there. Stats prove he's not just a centerfielder.
Minkah Fitzpatrick Stats FAQs
How many interceptions does Minkah Fitzpatrick have in his career?
Through the 2023 season, he has 23 regular season interceptions. Add 1 playoff INT and it's 24. Fun fact: 17 came in Steelers uniform despite playing fewer seasons there.
What's his highest interception season?
2022 was his peak with 6 picks. He led the NFL that year despite missing two games. Could've hit 8 if he played full season.
How does he compare to Troy Polamalu statistically?
Different eras but interesting:
- Polamalu: 0.23 INTs/game, 12 sacks, 32 INTs total
- Fitzpatrick: 0.26 INTs/game, 2 sacks, 23 INTs through 6 seasons
Minkah's coverage stats are better, Troy was more disruptive near the line. Both changed games.
Why did his 2023 stats decline?
Hamstring injuries limited him to 10 games. When he played, he wasn't 100%. Also saw fewer targets - QBs learned their lesson. Still allowed just 10.1 yards per completion (elite). Don't panic over one down year.
Advanced Metrics That Matter
Traditional stats don't show everything. These advanced Minkah Fitzpatrick stats reveal more:
| Metric | 2022 (Peak) | Career Average | NFL Safety Rank (2022) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Targeted Passer Rating | 56.3 | 86.7 | 2nd |
| Completion % Allowed | 54.5% | 58.1% | 8th |
| Yards per Coverage Snap | 0.27 | 0.42 | 3rd |
| Coverage Snaps per Reception | 15.7 | 12.3 | 5th |
| Run Stop % | 4.2% | 3.1% | 14th |
Eye-opening stat: Since 2019, he's allowed only 8 TDs in coverage while grabbing 17 INTs. That's a ridiculous +9 TD/INT ratio. Most elite corners don't touch that.
Final Thoughts on Minkah Fitzpatrick's Statistics
Looking at all these numbers, what's the verdict? He's a rare hybrid safety who impacts both pass and run games. The stats confirm:
- Elite ball production (23 INTs in 6 seasons)
- Consistent excellence (3 First-Team All-Pros)
- Scheme versatility (proven by alignment splits)
Is he perfect? No. His 2023 was concerning, and he'll occasionally overpursue in run support. But at 27? Prime years ahead.
When you dive into Minkah Fitzpatrick stats, you see why Pittsburgh made him the NFL's highest-paid safety. He changes games without stuffing the stat sheet every week. That's what elite players do - their presence alters how offenses operate.
What stats should you watch in 2024? Tackles will indicate his health/usage. But more importantly - interception opportunities. If QBs test him again, those picks will come. Count on it.
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