Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine Monday in Indianapolis. 

INDIANAPOLIS — In the right hands, Minkah Fitzpatrick can be an extremely dangerous weapon in today’s NFL.

The uber-talented defensive back out of national champion Alabama has safety size and cornerback skills.

It’s a combination intriguing enough to firmly place him in the conversation as a top-10 overall pick.

But it also creates an extra homework assignment for teams who must determine where Fitzpatrick fits best.

He offered something of a cheat sheet to get the process started during his media availability at the NFL Scouting Combine over the weekend.

Split the difference and call him a slot corner, where he played for parts of his first two seasons with the Crimson Tide.

“It’s a different type of position,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s a position that’s kind of a combination of corner and safety. You can make calls like a safety. You can rush or fill the holes, working the gaps like a safety. Then you get to cover man-to-man or on pass downs like you need to like a corner. I like playing both corner and safety. So I think slot corner is an optimal position.”

He’ll soon find out how many teams agree.

Some will see him as a safety but prefer big-bodied Derwin James of Florida State. Others will envision him as a cornerback but could prefer rangier Denzel Ward of Ohio State.

Fitzpatrick would argue he’s the perfect combination of the two.

He measured 6-foot and weighed in at 204 pounds last week, giving him plenty of size to play the physical game necessary for a safety. Then he ran a 4.46-second 40 at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday, showing off his top-end speed.

“I think it will show people I have the hips and feet of a corner, also the IQ and the tackling ability of a safety,” Fitzpatrick said. “I think that’s really important to show coaches who are out there doing my drills. Then I think going into the draft, they know I can play multiple positions at a high level. Not just playing there but also at a high level.”

That versatility is a major bonus.

But it also means whichever team ultimately falls in love with Fitzpatrick must have a clear vision for his role.

To get maximum production for this draft’s Swiss Army Knife, creativity could be key.

“What is he?” NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. “Is he my safety? Is he my corner? Is he my nickel? Or is he a piece that I can match up week to week against a big wideout or a tight end? How you use him is ultimately going to determine the value of him.”

Fitzpatrick — already considered the top defensive back in this class — is doing everything he can to increase that value.

He spent three days in Arizona training with Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson and picking the brain of one of the league’s best defensive backs.

Other pros he looks up to include Chiefs safety Eric Berry and Eagles defensive back Malcolm Jenkins, a corner at Ohio State who has made his mark in the NFL at safety.

He tries to incorporate pieces of many players’ games into his own. And he’s constantly engaging in self evaluation.

“Everything can improve,” Fitzpatrick said. “I always try to combine my athleticism with my technique. I feel like one of those could always improve at some point in time. Whether it’s coming out of your break or just working on your actual speed or separation. So now I’m always trying to find something and pinpoint something to work on.”

That’s a strong attitude at the Combine, where scouts and team executives are constantly trying to deconstruct a player’s game.

Everybody is afraid of making a mistake high in the draft, and teams are always looking for flaws that might be exploited.

In keeping with his reputation as a heady player, Fitzpatrick is prepared for the process.

And determined to combat it.

“The combine is somewhere you go where they try to devalue you,” Fitzpatrick said. “They try to find reasons to not pay you, you know what I’m saying? So, I’m trying to give them reasons to pay me. I’m trying to validate all the reasons why I’m one of the best players in this draft class, and I’m just out here being myself, talking ball, talking life. That’s it for real.”