Steelers Draft 2016: Kavon Frazier serves as potential late-round venture at safety

The Pittsburgh Steelers will enter the 2016 NFL draft in search of prime safety talent after inconsistency at the position last season lead to many mistakes in the secondary.

Will Allen, the Steelers’ primary strong safety in 2015, appears to be out of the organization’s plans heading into the future. Robert Golden received a three-year contract extension before the beginning of the free agency period, and seems to be the Steelers’ starting safety opposite Mike Mitchell for the time being.

Shamarko Thomas has yet to earn the trust of the coaching staff due to the fact that he makes too many mental errors (his two fair catch interference penalties last season are prime examples). Many expected him to start in the Steelers’ secondary last season, but he was ill-prepared. His performance, or lack thereof, 2016 will define whether or not he receives a contract extension.

Many expect Pittsburgh to address the cornerback position as early as round one in the draft, but the organization also has other needs to attend to outside the secondary. If the Steelers elect to wait until day three of the draft to select a safety, there are still a number of talented defensive backs to be had.

The Steelers hold four selections in day three of the draft. In the fourth round they select 123rd overall, 220th overall in the sixth round, and hold two selections in the seventh round at 229th and 246th overall. Out of these four selections, the fourth round would be the best time to select a safety if they have not done so already at that point.

One potential candidate for selection hails from the same alma mater as current Steelers Antonio Brown and L.T. Walton. Described as a fearsome hitting safety, he could give Pittsburgh a talented defensive back to shape into an adequate starter, something they attempted to do with Thomas years ago.

Kavon Frazier, defensive back, Central Michigan.

The six foot, 217 lbs. safety spent his collegiate career working his way through the ranks of the Chippewas’ depth chart, eventually earning a full-time starting role in 2015. He made the most of his final year at Mt. Pleasant, registering 108 tackles, one interception, two passes defended, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.

In total, Frazier accumulated 223 tackles (144 unassisted), five interceptions, thirteen passes defended, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. Also a talented special teams player, Frazier would have to once again work his way from the bottom to prove he has the ability to start in the Steelers’ secondary.

The biggest selling point in Frazier’s draft stock is his tailor-made size to play in the NFL. His large frame allows him to deliver thunderous hits to his opponents, which was one of the main reasons he was recognized and awarded All-MAC honors in his senior year.

Frazier earned an invitation to the NFL scouting combine, but was unable to perform in all the drills due to a stress fracture in his foot. He would tally a total of 18 reps in the 225 pound bench press in February at Indianapolis. This is in comparison to the 16 reps posted by fellow safeties Von Bell and Jayron Kearse.

In mid March, Central Michigan’s Pro Day would give Frazier the chance to finally put his talents on display in front of scouts from twenty-nine different NFL teams. He posted numbers in the 40 yard dash (4.56 seconds), Vertical Jump (40.5 “), and the Broad Jump (10’8”). A successful Pro Day contributed to helping Frazier’s name appear on the Steelers’ draft board when determining potential prospects.

Normally placed as an outside-the-box safety, Frazier is very instinctual at stopping the run. He displayed this in Central Michigan’s first game of the 2015 season where many of his eleven solo tackles were pivotal in holding Oklahoma State running back Chris Carson under one hundred rushing yards on twenty one attempts.

While Frazier mainly occupied the free safety position during college, he has the size to transition to an adequate strong safety. If they wish to keep him in a more comfortable role he is accustomed to, Mike Mitchell could take over on the strong side since he has experience in both areas.

The Steelers neglected to draft a suitable safety for years with Troy Polamalu as a prominent member of the secondary and utilizing free agency to address free safety. At the time it did not seem like a necessity, but the past has come back to torment the organization in their need to stabilize the position.

Next: Steelers News: Polamalu, Richardson, Lewis

Kavon Frazier serves as a potential day three selection if the Steelers fail to address the safety positions in days one or two. With his size, instincts, and potential to develop into a formidable starter at the professional level, he is well worth the investment the organization would put into him if they were to select him later this month.