Football is coming. Training camp is right around the corner, and from there, the rush of the NFL for the next six months will consume us all. Of course, there is still a difference between the start of training camp and the kick off of the NFL season. To get us through that time there are training camp competitions worth looking into. This series will highlight the five best training camp battles that will go on this summer at St. Vincent. For this edition, we will look at the Steelers depth at safety. Who has the edge between Jordan Dangerfield and Daimion Stafford?
Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp Battles: Jordan Dangerfield vs. Daimion Stafford
While it is not the most high profile matchup, it may be the most intriguing duel in training camp for the team. The Steelers will enter camp with only two safeties guaranteed to make the roster; Sean Davis and Mike Mitchell. Last season Robert Golden started two games, and he is the reigning special teams captain. He is likely to make the team.
The Steelers could keep five safeties, but it means they would only be keeping five cornerbacks as well. With Artie Burns, Ross Cockrell, William Gay, Senquez Golson, Cameron Sutton, Coty Sensabaugh and Brian Allen, it is a tough proposition to keep just five. It would seem more likely the team would part with Stafford or Dangerfield.
The Case for Dangerfield
Dangerfield made the roster on his second try with the Steelers. He has the experience in the defense, and even started two games, putting up ten tackles. Dangerfield played in 229 special teams snaps, more than Robert Golden who played in just 119 special teams plays last season. Dangerfield is much more familiar in the defense, and with the players around him than Stafford. The sense that seeing the field for the Steelers last season can provide a big step forward in his second season is the number one argument for keeping him.
The Case for Stafford
Stafford started six games for the Titans last season. While Golden played 492 combined snaps last year and Dangerfield played 353, Stafford played in 835 snaps for the Titans. He is a year younger than Dangerfield and has been active for 48 more NFL games.
Stafford is a key special teams asset and could be a long-term keeper because of his value on the unit. Stafford would cost the Steelers a little bit more in dead money than Dangerfield if they released him, so for the Steelers to actively pursue him would show that they have real interest in Stafford stepping in for Golden or Dangerfield.
Conclusion
The addition of Stafford also throws a new scenario into the mix. The Steelers could sneak Brian Allen onto the practice squad, cut Golson, and keep just five cornerbacks. Golson’s seat is already hot, and it had been mentioned that special teams play would be his path to the roster. Stafford and Dangerfield have a huge step on Golson in terms of special teams, and the two would get the edge on him in that situation.
However, between Stafford and Dangerfield, the early edge goes to the latter, but Stafford is a strong dark horse to make the roster. He has the experience, the special teams prowess, and the age and upside to keep around next season, whether it includes Dangerfield or not.
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