Steelers 2020 draft plans: What positions will be targeted?

The Steelers may look to bolster the safety position in the fourth round of the draft

Having two picks in the fourth round could bode well for the Steelers secondary.  I think we may look at drafting a safety or two, with one of those safeties being more of a ‘hybrid’ type of player.  J.R. Reed, safety from Georgia, may be available in the fourth round.

If he is available, the Steelers may want to consider drafting him.  Reed was very productive in college, culminating in his nomination as a Jim Thorpe Award finalist.  If Reed can play either safety position, that would obviously be a boon for the Steelers defense. Position flexibility is vitally important to the success of the defense.

Reed has good size, 6′ 1″ and 202 lbs, and good speed, clocking in at a 4.54-second 40-yard dash.  I suppose it remains to be seen if he will be available in the fourth round.  It also remains to be seen if the Steelers view him as a player who deserves to be taken in the fourth round.

Another safety whom the Steelers may want to look at is Tanner Muse, who played his college ball at Clemson.  Muse, like Reed, has good size, 6′ 2″ and 227 lbs, and really good speed, clocking in at 4.41 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

For a player who weighs 227 lbs, running a 4.41 second 40 is quite impressive. While speed is obviously not the only trait a safety must possess, it is the only trait any player can not be taught.  You’re either fast or you’re not (fast).  Muse is fast.

I would personally like to see if Muse could play the ‘sub-LB’ spot because the one element of the Steelers defense that is lacking, in my opinion, is safeties and LBs, for that matter, who can cover.  Like I said, having two picks in the fourth round is a good problem to have.

Let’s see what positions the Steelers may target in the last two rounds of the draft.