Photo: steelers.com
It’s hard to believe but the Pittsburgh Steelers 2021 Training Camp is right around the corner. As we countdown the days until camp begins, each week SCU will highlight one position group, detailing the players who will be competing for a spot on the Steelers final 53-man roster at the end of this Summer.
SCU’s training camp preview continues with a look at the Steelers safeties.
Both starters returns, as former first round picks Terrell Edmunds and Minkah Fitzpatrick hold down the fort.
The Steelers also feature a number of versatile defensive backs in reserve roles. Continue reading to find out more about the depth as this position heading into training camp.
A game changer the moment the Steelers made a move to trade for him, Fitzpatrick is considered by many to be the best safety in all of football.
It’s not hard to see why, as he’s a ball-hawk who makes impossible plays seem commonplace.
There’s not much more to honestly say about Minkah which hasn’t been already! According to some of the sportsbook available in Pennsylvania on this page, he’s even a contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award. His odds to win varies from +3300 to +5500 depending on the site. Let’s hope those odds get even better when the season begins!
A scapegoat for ignorant observers’ reactions, Edmunds had his best season in 2020 and continues to improve year-by-year.
A run-stuffing, sure-handed tackler, Edmunds has also batted away passes with more consistency as of late and makes a great pairing with his more freelancing partner, Fitzpatrick. This also has the side effect of making Edmunds look ineffective in his position, as he doesn’t have the same opportunities to make splashy sacks or rack up other stats. Make no mistake though, Edmunds is a valued component of the Steelers defense.
The Steelers have invested in versatile safeties over the years, with Marcus Allen fully converting to inside linebacker. They have three other such projects entering camp, including last year’s sixth round pick Antoine Brooks (who saw limited snaps in 2020) and 2021 seventh round pick Tre Norwood, dubbed a “Swiss Army Knife” by Mike Tomlin.
Miles Killebrew, who played both linebacker and safety for the Lions, was added in free agency.
The Steelers have also flirted with hosting free agent safety Malik Hooker, a former first round pick with the Colts who is a Western, Pennsylvania native. Injuries have derailed Hooker’s career, and there appears to be interest by both parties, though nothing is official as of yet.
Long-time special teams standout and captain Jordan Dangerfield is no longer on the roster, but may be on speed dial if the team requires veteran help.
