Finding the Fits: Sean Davis adds physicality to Steelers' secondary

Finding the Fits: Sean Davis adds physicality to Steelers' secondary – CBSSports.com

(This is part of a series — Finding the Fits — in which NFLDraftScout.com will review the more intriguing picks made during the 2016 NFL Draft. The goal is to identify one relatively unheralded player per team who appears to be a good schematic fit and, therefore, more likely to be a surprise contributor early in his pro career.)

Pittsburgh’s best fit: SS Sean Davis, Maryland, No. 58 overall

There is no kind way of putting it; the Pittsburgh Steelers’ pass defense was a sieve in 2015.

For a club that otherwise looked like a potential Super Bowl contender, the Steelers were torched in the secondary, routinely giving up as many big plays on defense as their explosive offensive gained, and ultimately ranking 30th in the NFL against the pass. And remember, that was against the AFC North division — a collection of teams hardly known for their passing proficiency.

General manager Kevin Colbert opted to reshuffle the deck in the secondary following the season, allowing veterans Antwon Blake and Brandon Boykin to enter free agency and investing five of the club’s seven draft picks into defenders, including the first two picks on cornerback Artie Burns and Davis, who saw action at both corner and safety for the Maryland Terrapins.

As the club’s first-round pick, Burns is a logical candidate to compete with Senquez Golson for the right to start opposite holdover William Gay at cornerback. The 6-foot, 197-pound Burns is a natural perimeter corner with length, speed and hands for the interception. Golson is a playmaker, as well, but at “just” 5-foot-9 and 176 pounds, he projects best inside at nickel. That is, if the second-year pro can stay healthy. Golson missed his entire rookie season with a shoulder injury and was again sidelined during recent OTAs due to a “soft tissue injury” unrelated to his shoulder.

Davis, the club’s second-round pick, has not received as much attention as Burns, but he too projects as a possible rookie starter, competing with Robert Golden and Shamarko Thomas for the strong safety role.

At 6-foot-1 and 202 pounds, Davis is bigger than either Golden (5-11, 202) or Thomas (5-9, 205) and is a proven playmaker, leading all college defensive backs with five forced fumbles a season ago. Just as important, he is a reliable and highly physical tackler.

For years, the Steelers were led in the secondary by the Troy Polamalu, whose penchant for the big play (or big hit) helped make Pittsburgh so intimidating. Davis has not yet shown Polamalu’s rare instincts and closing speed, but he is an intimidating hitter with enough experience at cornerback to project as more than simply a traditional “in the box” strong safety.

His new position coach, former All-Pro Carnell Lake, is excited about Davis’ physicality and fit.

“A very productive player in two positions,” said Lake when asked about Davis. “He has been very productive in the tackling department; has a good eye for playing the ball in the passing game.”

“[Davis] is going to provide us with a lot of versatility and depth at a needed position for us,” Lake continued, “and I think he will do an outstanding job there.”

Don’t be surprised if that outstanding job begins in 2016.

Sean Davis brings a much-needed physical presence at safety. USATSI

Other thoughts on the Steelers’ 2016 draft class:

Between Davis’ eight turnovers forced (five forced fumbles, three interceptions) and Artie Burns’ ACC-leading six interceptions last season, the Steelers certainly added playmakers with their first two picks, addressing the club’s primary positions of concern.

Burns is undeniably a bit of a project after splitting time between football and track during his prep and college career but offers all of the traits to develop into a legitimate NFL star. Unlike most dual-sport athletes, Burns does not lack for confidence or physicality, typically covering the opponents’ top receiver and showing the size, speed, fluidity, hands and awareness to handle coverage duties against NFL receivers.

Burns was slid inside to safety and even linebacker at times at Miami to take full advantage of his speed and willingness to hit. His well-documented challenges at Miami (which included the unexpected loss of his mother) offer evidence that he also possesses the mental toughness to handle the jump in competition.

Given that he played at South Carolina State, it is understandable if most Steelers fans asked, “Who?” when the Steelers made Javon Hargrave the club’s third-round selection but he, too, could wind up competing for a starting role as a rookie. Pittsburgh allowed nose guard Steve McLendon to walk via free agency, and third-year pro Daniel McCullers is the only interior defensive lineman on the roster with more than one year of experience.

The 6-foot-2, 305-pound Hargrave is very different from the fire hydrant nose guard types of yesteryear in Pittsburgh. While certainly powerful, his success is based mostly on quickness, and he lacks the ideal bulk and length (32-inch arms) that Pittsburgh has prioritized up the middle in the past. He’s explosive off the snap, however, and possesses the light feet and awareness to be a legitimate disruptive presence on the inside.

Hargrave dominated at South Carolina State, registering an eye-popping 37.5 sacks over his career. He was the best player on the field at the East-West Shrine Game and helped his cause again at the Senior Bowl as a late injury replacement.

“I believe it’s realistic,” coach Mike Tomlin said when asked if Hargrave could join Burns and Davis as potential rookie starters. “That’s why we chose them where we chose them. But they have to earn it, and we’ll give them the opportunity to do that.”

Pittsburgh’s 2016 draft class: