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.

The cream of the crop:

1. Karl Joseph, Las Vegas Raiders
2. Jeremy Chinn, Southern Illinois
3. Ashtyn Davis, California

It was hard to determine a top tier with this list, as while the Steelers are looking for a player that will see playing time next year as a sub-package player, they don’t need a player that will push for a starting role. Thus, I’ve looked past free agents that would likely start for a new team (say Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix or Vonn Bell) and draft picks that would have to be taken at pick 49.

Atop the list is Karl Joseph, and he seems like an ideal fit. Athletic, young, and a player they showed a lot of interest in during the pre-draft process, Joseph would be a catch in free agency. While Spotrac projects his AAV to be around 6 million, his play hasn’t always been stellar and injuries have held him back the past couple of years while the free-agent market has been saturated with talent, leading to lower contracts. Considering he would be a role player and has starting experience in case of injury, Joseph is a prime free agent the Steelers should consider.

As for the rookies, both would have to be targeted in the third round. Jeremy Chinn is an athletic marvel, testing at a high level and having near-perfect measurables as a safety. Year one he would be able to cover TE’s as a dime backer and overtime could fight for a starting role at SS.

His small school status does ding him, but his size and athleticism are worth the risk in the third.

Ashtyn Davis is a bit more of a do it all safety, being able to play close to the line of scrimmage while also playing deep. His value is all over the early portion of the draft, but his average position falls closer to an early third-round pick. He would be a chess piece and insurance for the starters going forward.

Second-tier starters:

1. Adrian Phillips, LA Chargers
2. Brandon Jones, Texas
3. Clayton Geathers, Indianapolis Colts
4. Sean Davis, Pittsburgh Steelers
5. K’Von Wallace, Clemson

Adrian Phillips is a guy I was pounding the table for last year, and my rhetoric hasn’t changed. While he is a SS only, he has become a great #3 safety due to his ability to play dime backer in sub-packages. While I wouldn’t want him to start a whole season as a safety, he brings clear value as the #3 safety and would be a fit as a situational player.

Clayton Geathers is similar to Phillips, although his overall coverage is worse. He plays like an undersized linebacker as he constantly delivers the big hit in run-support. He has a lot of experience though and would be a good insurance policy for the starters.

Sean Davis to replace Sean Davis; that is a bit of an oxymoron I guess. While he has never been a top 10 safety, he is consistent and well rounded. He’ll likely seek other options in free agency, but if he is willing to return on the cheap, he would be a jack of all trait’s backup.

For the rookies, Brandon Jones is an intelligent player, and while he hasn’t been able to work out much, he has been wowing teams with his game intelligence. He may be around early in the fourth due to his lack of working out and the team could do a lot worse than having him as their #3 safety. Wallace is another athlete that has good tape and the Steelers were at his pro day. He doesn’t have the highest ceiling, but still would be another good investment in the fourth round.

The “best” of the rest:

1. Deon Bush, Chicago Bears
2. Tanner Muse, Clemson
3. Jeff Heath, Dallas Cowboys
4. Marcus Allen, Pittsburgh Steelers

Even the last tier would function ok as the #3 safety with this team. Deon Bush has been a sporadic backup in Chicago but hasn’t played horribly when on the field. Jeff Heath has started the past couple of years but seems to have the talent as a backup more so than a starter.

While the two free agents are depth only (not a huge role in subpackage), Muse is a different story. A safety playing in a linebacker’s body, Muse looks the part of a role player and depth piece on defense. He may have risen his draft stock too high though after blowing up his pro day.

After those measurables, he likely will be gone within the first four rounds. Important to note the Steelers did have dinner with him at his pro-day, meaning they have some level of intrigue with him.

Finally, we have Marcus Allen, the former fifth-rounder from Penn State. He has seen limited playing time but has still stuck around. Maybe the team thinks he can take that next step and become the depth player they hoped to get when they drafted him.

The Steelers are flush with quality options when it comes to #3 safeties and could go a variety of different routes. If they could land Joseph and add a mid-round rookie, the depth will go from shallow to deep rather quickly. Expect a move or two here this offseason, and perhaps one as early as the first week of free agency in Joseph is the target.