NFL Draft preview: Steelers could stand pat at safety amid class that gets little love from experts

Minkah Fitzpatrick encountered a third partner at safety in as many seasons when the Pittsburgh Steelers signed free agent DeShon Elliott last offseason.

The Steelers thought enough of the pairing — they used Terrell Edmunds in 2022 and Keanu Neal in 2023 — that they apparently will maintain the status quo in 2025.

Elliott, who is in the second and final season of his contract, finished second on the team with 108 tackles, had five tackles for loss, forced two fumbles and recovered three others. He also had an interception, matching Fitzpatrick’s total over the past two seasons combined.

Fitzpatrick, despite two consecutive seasons of reduced productivity, nonetheless made the Pro Bowl for the fifth time in his career and has a contract with a $22.355 million cap hit that makes him virtually impossible to trade.

Coach Mike Tomlin likes to deploy a three-safety package on defense, and veteran Juan Thornhill was brought in to fill Damontae Kazee’s role in that formation.

As the NFL Draft approaches, the Steelers have shown no indication of a further shakeup at the position. Perhaps that is a good thing.

This year’s safety class, as rated by NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, is rated the worst of all position groups. That has continued a trend.

“The position has landed at or near the bottom for three straight years,” Zierlein wrote in his annual breakdown, adding, “This group lacks star power and is light on depth after the first 10 or so safeties come off the board.”

A true safety hasn’t been selected in the first round since Kyle Hamilton went to Baltimore with the No. 14 overall pick in 2022.

“Safety is always a touchy subject,” ESPN analyst Jordan Reid said. “Hamilton comes to mind, and people wonder why he slipped to 14. It’s different for every team. If you have an elite, deep-level safety, he can change your defense.”

The Steelers brought in just one outside safety for a predraft visit, and he happens to be the highest-rated safety in his class — South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori.

Emmanwori visited the Steelers on April 4. Pitt’s Donovan McMillon also visited, but he doesn’t count against the top 30 limit.

“Emmanwori makes a lot of plays buzzing underneath the ball,” NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. “He’s a physical, firm tackler and an aggressive, aggressive dude. I would be excited about that at the end of the first round.”

Emmanwori started three seasons for the Gamecocks before exiting after his junior season. He was a first-team All-American last year and returned two of his four interceptions for touchdowns. He also ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds, the second-fastest time among safeties this year.

Georgia’s Malaki Starks also could go in the first round. Like Emmanwori, he was a three-year starter, although he didn’t repeat the first-team All-American honors he earned in 2023.

“You noticed him when he was younger and kind of popped on the scene,” Jeremiah said. “Man, he’s such an easy mover, like a fluid athletes. He just didn’t make as many plays this year.”

Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts is viewed as a potential second-round option for teams, and Penn State’s Kevin Winston Jr. has moved up draft boards with the way he has recovered from a partially torn ACL that he sustained in September.

Winston participated in Penn State’s pro day and ran the 40 in 4.5 seconds.

“Before he got hurt, he was a heck of a player at Penn State,” ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. said. “He is resurfacing and reestablishing himself as a second-round candidate.”

Winston’s teammate, Jaylen Reed, is a mid-round safety. He is the No. 8-rated safety, according to NFL.com and is projected to be drafted in the fourth round.