Rookie safety Sean Davis has been exactly the player the Pittsburgh Steelers needed him to be this season.
Drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of the University of Maryland, Davis is one-half of Pittsburgh’s rookies on the team’s new-and-improved defense. (The other half is cornerback Artie Burns, who was taken in the first round of the draft.)
But if you’re looking at things more critically, Davis has been more than just a great rookie, he’s been an integral part of the Steelers’ defensive turnaround. After a strong training camp and start to the season, Davis became Pittsburgh’s first rookie defensive back to start in a season opener since Chad Scott did so against the Dallas Cowboys in 1997. Davis fits in well in the defense, playing a more free safety-style that works well with the strong safety-style that Mike Mitchell prefers to play.
This season, Davis is fourth on the Steelers’ defense in tackles with 70 total tackles.
Davis’ his first career solo sack came in Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns — he recorded a joint-sack against the Buffalo Bills in Week 14. This season, in addition, Davis has one interception; he picked New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning in Week 13.
“It wasn’t the start that I had envisioned,” Davis said, “but I work. And I worked through adversity. I work at problems. I never give up. I know what I am capable of. I am just blessed to be out there to showcase my skillset and put all that hard work out on the field. I am an optimistic guy. I never worry. I never freak out. And this is just how things all worked out.”
Davis was named the recipient of the Joe Greene Great Performance Award, which is given to the team’s top rookie in the season. Davis beat out Burns and nose tackle Javon Hargrave.
It’s worked out well for the Steelers, and now Davis — as well as Burns and Hargrave — are going to be seeing their first NFL playoff action. While Pittsburgh’s defense is pretty banged up with injuries (especially on the defensive line), the secondary has held together with the play of the two rookies.
Davis will have a chance to keep proving his worth when the Steelers host the Miami Dolphins at Heinz Field on Sunday in their WildCard playoff matchup. The game is scheduled to kick off at 1:05 p.m. EST.
