Replacing Sean Davis: Ranking the Steelers backup safety options

With Sean Davis set to test free agency, the Steelers must look for a quality backup to play situationally and as insurance in case of injury.

For those of you that can think back to the days of playing NFL Head Coach 09. While the game was a dream come true for those that loved to sim through Madden seasons just to complete the offseason, that small crowd failed to turn the game into a huge success, causing it to be forgotten about by EA Sports. While the game itself is well in need of a reboot (a topic that should be reserved for an entirely different post), an aspect of the game has become a source of inspiration for the Steelers offseason.

During the offseason, the owner of your chosen team will list all of the team needs (QB1, RB2, etc.) as well as players they would like you to fill those spots with (free agents, draft prospects, and players on the team). While I usually was defiant, leading to the owner being constantly upset with me (what can I say, I knew more than him) I wanted to take this list idea and run with it.

Now, for each Steelers position of need, I want to run a list of potential fill-ins similar to how this game was constructed. So, position by position I want to break down the need and the best fit players who can fill them. This list will be realistic options only (safety won’t include free agents like Anthony Harris or Xavier McKinney as they would either be too expensive or be taken well before the Steelers select).

After looking over options at NT, TE, and OG, this final article looks in-depth at S3 (or, safety #3). I am in no way advocating to find a starting safety this offseason as the starters are set in Terrell Edmunds and Minkah Fitzpatrick, but safety is a position that the team should be three deep. Injuries and sub-packages lead to the reserves at this position seeing playing time.

Currently, the only experienced (I use that term lightly) backup is Marcus Allen, who started the year on the practice squad before getting called up after Kam Kelly had is legal incident. The Steelers are incredibly weak here and are one injury away from being hopeless at the position. Thus, this is the second biggest defensive offseason need besides a new starting NT. Luckily, the free agency pool and draft class have some intriguing options to add to this roster.