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It was an interesting 2020 NFL draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers. After trading away their first-round pick months before, the Steelers had to maximize the value of the remaining selections. The Steelers did a nice job picking up several sleepers on the third day of the draft but according to Draft Wire, the biggest steal for Pittsburgh was safety Antoine Brooks Jr. in the sixth round.
I think many of us thought the Steelers would address the safety position earlier in the draft given their lack of depth but getting Brooks with the No. 198 pick made up for it.
As a senior, Brooks split time between safety and linebacker and really showed diversity in his game. He had six passes defended to go along 87 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss.
Brooks should come in and compete immediately for the team’s third safety spot. Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds are entrenched as the starters but with the Steelers using so much sub-package defense, Brooks has a real opportunity to come in and fill a role similar to what Mark Barron did last season as the team’s hybrid linebacker/safety.
The Steelers actually hit with all four of their day three picks. guard Kevin Dotson could end up a starter in 2021, running back Anthony McFarland Jr. should compete for reps as a rookie and defensive Carlos Davis is the pure nose tackle this roster has been lacking.
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