2020 Steelers re-draft: Alex Highsmith is the only unchanged pick

Round 6:

Jordan Fuller, S

Original pick: Antoine Brooks, S

Reviewing the draft from a year ago, it is extremely frustrating to see that the team chose Antoine Brooks over Jordan Fuller. While both are different styles of players, Fuller seems like he has the most long-term potential to start. Fuller was the full-time starter at safety from day one, and he hasn’t looked back. As well, he was a bit of a ballhawk, picking off three passes over his rookie year.

Brooks is much more of a run stopper and could arguably benefit from kicking down to linebacker eventually. That’s where the whole “different styles of player” argument stands true. Brooks is a strong safety only while Fuller seems like he could be more of a free safety. That said, Fuller has the size to play strong safety, so he could still excel in that role if need be.

At the end of the day, Fuller would have been the better pick for the team over Brooks. He is far more talented at this point and he has more versatility. Brooks will be stuck as a box safety if he stays at the position going forward. Fuller could be either strong or free safety going forward. As well, he would have been a versatile third safety last year that would have seen playing time in sub-package situations. Brooks can become a valuable player, but it doesn’t seem like he has as high of a potential as Fuller.