Steelers bring in 2 safeties, 2 linebackers for predraft visits

After focusing on offensive prospects in the first two days of predraft visits, the Pittsburgh Steelers turned their attention to the defensive side of the ball on Wednesday.

General manager Kevin Colbert said finding players who can create turnovers is a priority this season, and the four players to visit UPMC Rooney Sports Complex had such traits on their college resumes.

The players hosted by the Steelers were safeties Ugo Amadi of Oregon and Darnell Savage of Maryland, and linebackers Jordan Brailford of Oklahoma State and Ben Burr-Kirven of Washington.

Through three days, the Steelers have conducted 12 of their 30 official visits. They also have hosted two local players who don’t count against their limit.

Only two teams had fewer takeaways last season than the Steelers’ 15, and their eight interceptions tied for the fewest in franchise history, making a dubious mark previously achieved in 1940.

Amadi, who is 5-foot-9, 199 pounds, had eight pass breakups and three interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, as a senior at Oregon. He also had 55 tackles (five for a loss) and 1.5 sacks while also doubling as a punt returner (he had one return for a touchdown). As a junior, Amadi had three forced fumbles and three interceptions.

Savage (5-11, 198) had four interceptions as a senior at Maryland after getting three in his junior season. Last season, he also had 52 tackles (5.5 for loss).

At 6-3, 252 pounds, Brailford is viewed as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense after he played defensive end at Oklahoma State. He was named all-Big 12 last year as a junior when he had 16 tackles for loss and nine sacks. As a sophomore, he had 4.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for a loss.

Burr-Kirven (6-0, 230) was one of the top tacklers in the country during his senior year at Washington when he was named Pac-12 defensive player of the year and was voted an AP All-American. He had 176 total tackles, including 94 solo stops, along with 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, three fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles.

Of the 14 predraft visitors, the Steelers have hosted five running backs, three wide receivers, three linebackers, two safeties and one tight end.