Big things are expected out of Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Sean Davis in 2019 and especially with him not having to make yet another position switch this offseason. In fact, in a recent themed-article by Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com, Davis was named the Steelers homegrown talent player, who could provide the team huge boost by taking the next step in his development.
Here is what Rosenthal wrote about his selection of Davis for the Steelers.
No one has played more snaps for the Steelers’ defense over the last three seasons than Davis, yet the team still doesn’t seem entirely sure what it has in the 2016 second-round pick. After settling into his role as a free safety — his third position — Davis was less streaky overall in 2018. GM Kevin Colbert has poured resources into the team’s secondary, and it looks better on paper than it has in years. They’d look even better if Davis made enough big plays to inspire Colbert to sign him to an extension.
Last season, Davis, the Steelers second-round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Maryland, logged a team-high 979 defensive snaps on his way to registering 79 total tackles, one interception and 7 total passes defensed. It was Davis’ first full season at free safety after having to play strong safety and nickel cornerback in his first two seasons in the NFL.
According to stats compiled by Sports Info Solutions, Davis was targeted a total of 21 times last season and he allowed 14 receptions for 234 yards and 2 touchdowns. Davis also dropped two other balls he probably should have intercepted last season and Pro Football Focus has him down for 12 missed tackles.
Davis, in case you haven’t been following closely this offseason, is one of a few candidates to receive a contract extension between now and the start of the 2019 regular season as he’s now in the final year of his rookie contract. Because of that, it will be interesting to see if the Steelers ultimately get him inked to a new deal. If such a transaction does happen, Davis will then be in line to be the Steelers starting free safety the next few years. If, however, the 2019 regular season gets underway without Davis being extended, it could ultimately wind up being his final year in Pittsburgh. Regardless, the Steelers do indeed need Davis’ best season to date in 2019 and thus Rosenthal’s selection of him is very understandable.
For his career, Davis has registered 242 total tackles, 2.5 sacks and 5 interceptions to go along with 20 total passes defensed and a forced fumble. He’s missed just 1 game during his first three seasons in the NFL and that happened late last season when he missed the week 17 finale against the Cincinnati Bengals because of a quadriceps injury.
