Steelers 2018 Positional Outlook: Examining the safety depth after the draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for the 2018 regular season, and after the 2018 NFL Draft the overall 90-man roster is set — for now. As players become available, and injuries happen, the offseason roster is certainly fluid, but it doesn’t mean we can’t take a look at the current roster and see who could make the starting roster when things shake out prior to Week 1 of the regular season.

Today, we focus on the safety position. The Steelers have seen some turnover already at the position throughout the new league year. On the first day of free agency the Steelers released both Mike Mitchell and Robert Golden — essentially gutting the position. Since then, the team has brought in Morgan Burnett and added two new players via the draft. On top of that, the organization decided to cut ties with J.J. Wilcox after the team’s draft concluded.

Let’s take a look at the safeties currently on the team’s offseason roster:

Sean Davis
Morgan Burnett
Terrell Edmunds
Marcus Allen
Jordan Dangerfield
Nat Berhe
Malik Golden

Immediately, you see four players on this list who can be viewed as locks to make the Week 1 roster. Davis, Burnett, Edmunds and Allen. Outside of those four, anything is possible with the rest of the roster.

The Steelers typically enter the season with as many defensive backs as necessary. In other words, they could have anywhere from 4 to 6 safeties on their roster, and special teams usually is the deciding factor in their decision making. Assuming both rookies will be given a role, whether on special teams or in the standard defense, I have them both making the team.

Outside of the above four, who has the inside track to make the team? Berhe certainly would be one of those players, considering he was a free agent acquisition this offseason. Other than Berhe, it is a collection of players with little-to-no NFL experience to write home about.

What is my prediction for who will make the team?

Sean Davis
Morgan Burnett
Terrell Edmunds
Marcus Allen
Nat Berhe

That’s right, I have the Steelers keeping 5 safeties on their roster, barring injury, and this group should be considered a deep, and athletic, group. There isn’t a Troy Polamalu in their midst, but there is the view of athleticism, physicality and smarts which is the common thread throughout the group. Compared to where this group was one year ago, it is a pleasant upgrade.

Who do you think will be the team’s safety corps when all is said and done? Let us know in the comment section below!