Steelers’ draft full of hybrids
PITTSBURGH — A reporter on Saturday, in the middle of the NFL Draft’s marathon final day, asked the running backs coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers if his latest charge, fifth-round pick Jaylen Samuels, might end up playing safety.
The room laughed. Saxon laughed. He got the joke.
“He’s probably going to write some articles, too,” Saxon said to more laughter.
It’s all about versatility these days. The Steelers never more so following a weekend spent drafting running backs who can play tight end and safeties who can play linebacker.
It was hybrid season down at the UPMC Rooney Complex, and it started Thursday with first-round hybrid safety Terrell Edmunds, continued Friday with WR James Washington, QB Mason Rudolph and OT Chuks Okorafor, and wrapped up Saturday with hybrid safety Marcus Allen, hybrid runner Samuels and finally nose tackle Joshua Frazier.
“I think we’ve added some good depth, some good competition,” said GM Kevin Colbert. “Some may question the immediacy of those who can help us. But while our job is to win a championship next season, we’re also looking for players who can help us compete in the upcoming years.”
Mike Tomlin was asked about the safety-linebacker types he’s brought in through both the draft and free agency.
“I think they can help our football team in a number of ways and it’s something that’s indicative of the safety position in the game today,” he said. “Also, safeties are a significant element of special-teams play.”
The Steelers opened Day 3 by adding Allen with the first of their fifth-round picks. Deemed a step slow in coverage, Allen fell to the fifth round in spite of making 321 career tackles to finish fifth on the all-time Penn State list. But in 44 starts, he had only one interception.
“I think he can do a lot of things for us,” said new DBs coach Tom Bradley. “I think he can move inside if we need him to do it, if he needs to play dime or do some other things in our scheme. He should be able to do it. He certainly has the physical tools to get it done.”
Bradley raved about the physicality of Allen (6-2 1/8, 215).
“He is a big-time tackler,” Bradley said. “He will strike you. That’s one thing, he is a very physical tackle. He is real physical person around the ball. Probably the best part of his game is how physical he is. When we watched and followed him strike people at different times, he gets after you pretty good.”
Is Bradley nervous about the new tackling rules?
“Would someone explain the rule to me?” Bradley asked. “Because I don’t know it. I know we’ve all talked about the new rule but I’m waiting to get clarification. Maybe we’ll get some pictures and some videos so we can show him exactly what everyone is talking about here.
“You know, obviously, if you tackle fundamentally sound, and you do the right things, and get you get your head up, and you get your feet going, and don’t lead (with the helmet), then you shouldn’t have any problems.”
Bradley said that Allen is “a very fundamental player.” He’s also a hoot. Allen was howling with joy when he jumped on the conference all with Pittsburgh media.
“I’m coming home! I’m coming home! That’s why I’m happy,” he said.
Allen’s father, Shawn Allen, grew up in Homewood as a close friend of Hall of Fame running back Curtis Martin, who became Marcus’ godfather. But the Allens moved to Upper Marlboro, Maryland, where Marcus was born, and then he went off to Penn State.
“It’s all tears of joy right now,” Allen said. “Everyone has been anxious, anxious wondering where I was going to go, but it’s a perfect situation. This is my home, man. It’s my hometown. My grandmother is from there. My grandfather is from there — my whole family. I’m just so excited.
“I got all this Steelers gear in my room,” he added. “I just walked in my room and grabbed the hat off my stand and just put it on.”
Allen also had fun with the question about new-age, hybrid football.
“This is definitely the new wave!” he crowed. “Whatever Kevin Colbert wants to do, whatever Mike Tomlin wants to do, I’m going to do it. That’s the plan. I’m definitely the new wave.”
The Steelers drafted an offensive hybrid 17 picks later. Samuels was listed as a tight end at North Carolina State, but was more of an H-back. However, at 5-11 1/2, he’s too short for the position and is now focused on running back.
Samuels was used as a goal-line and short-yardage runner at N.C. State, but as a receiver he broke Jerricho Cotchery’s school record with 202 career catches. Samuels also scored 47 touchdowns, second most in school history. He scored 28 rushing and 19 receiving.
“The kid answers the bell in a lot of different ways,” said Saxon. “You can also see him run the ball in different situations.”
Even though he was used often in short-yardage, Samuels averaged 6.1 yards per carry because he can take it outside. Saxon was asked to define the running style of a guy who rushed for 1,107 yards in his college career.
“Two-hundred twenty-five pounds,” Saxon deadpanned. “Good-sized kid. Obviously, he’s got decent speed and he’s going to be able to function at this level.”
Added Saxon: “He’ll be able to play on third down. He’ll be able to catch the ball and create some match-up problems for linebackers. In this game today, you know, third downs, a lot of teams are using a sixth DB to come in the box to cover an athlete and that’s what he is.”
Samuels, like Allen, grew up with a father who cheered for the Steelers.
“He’s a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan, so it’s kind of crazy right now,” Samuels said.
The Steelers’ draft ended with Frazier, a 6-3, 320-pound nose tackle from Alabama who was taken in the seventh round.
“He’s strong at the point. He can push the pocket,” said new DL coach Karl Dunbar. “And the good thing about it is I’ve coached him the last two years.”
Dunbar was the line coach at Alabama. He knew that Frazier, who seldom started, was an under-the-radar prospect who went to Alabama as a big-time recruit. Dunbar was asked why he wanted to bring Frazier along with him to the Steelers.
“We won the national championship,” Dunbar said. “It wasn’t bad. It wasn’t bad at all.”