Steelers double dip at Maryland with safety Brooks

With their first selection on third day of the NFL Draft, the Steelers selected Maryland running back Anthony McFarland. Later in the day in Round 6, they went back to Maryland for a defensive player, grabbing hybrid safety Antoine Brooks.

The addition of Brooks gives the Steelers a hybrid type of player who can play safety or inside linebacker depending on what the Steelers want to do with him.

At a shade over 5-foot-10, Brooks weighed in at 220 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine. Brooks was a three-year starter at Maryland, where he played for new Steelers quarterbacks coach Matt Canada in 2018. Maryland's current offensive coordinator is former Steelers wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery, while Mike Tomlin's eldest son, Dino, was a freshman wideout on Maryland's roster in 2019.

"Antoine Brooks is someone we were following really for two years," said GM Kevin Colbert. "Antoine talked about coming out early and decided to stay. He played in a unique position that is really relevant today to the NFL and college football. He’s half a linebacker, half a safety. He will be a safety in our defense with the ability to play in packages. That’s what he’s done and done well. He’s very versatile and should be able to be a special teams contributor as we move along."

Brooks appeared in 42 career games for the Terrapins, starting 35, all in the last three seasons. He recorded 231 tackles, 3.5 sacks and four interceptions over that period, breaking up 13 passes and making 27.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He's considered a very physical player.

He started all over Maryland's defense, lining up at corner, free safety, strong safety and nickel corner.

"I think he biggest thing I liked about him is that he’s around the ball," said Steelers senior defensive assistant coach Teryl Austin. "He’s going to be there, wherever it is. Very physical."

Brooks was a high school quarterback and suffered a devastating injuries, with compound fractures in his wrist and ankle. Brooks nearly quit football because of the injuries, which took over five hours of surgery to fix.

Instead, he just decided to quit playing quarterback.

"After you get hurt like that, you don't want to be quarterback anymore," he said. "The outcome was to keep playing."

Brooks could be used to help replace linebacker Mark Barron, himself a former college safety, in the Steelers defense. Barron was released following the season in a salary cap-related move, while the Steelers also lost linebacker Tyler Matakevich in free agency.

But the Steelers also have a need at safety. Sean Davis, the team's starting free safety before missing most of last season with a shoulder injury, left in free agency for the Redskins. That leaves the team's depth chart with starters Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds, backed up by special teams ace Jordan Dangerfield and little used Marcus Allen, a 2018 fifth-round draft pick. Brooks can add to that role, as well.

"We’ll get them in our jar, shake 'em up and see where they fit best," Austin said.

Brooks was the team's fifth selection in this year's draft. The Steelers previously selected Notre Dame wide receiver Chase Claypool (second round), Charlotte linebacker Alex Highsmith (third), McFarland (fourth) and Louisiana guard Kevin Dotson (fourth).