P.J. Locke took a calculated gamble in the frenzied hours as the NFL draft wound down late last month.
While he wasn’t a top draft prospect by any means, as an experienced safety from a blueblood college program Locke had options as an undrafted free agent. But instead of pouncing on one of the offers he got during that crazy, meat-market Saturday for teams, prospects and their agents across the league, Locke took a step back.
“I had some offers on the table; I was kind of like weighing my options,” Locke said after an organized team activities session at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex last week. “I just didn’t want to make a decision real quick. I wanted to see what the best fit was me.
“And then, come that Monday…”
The Pittsburgh Steelers – unexpectedly – called.
“As soon as they gave me the offer,” Locke said, “I looked into it and I felt like it was the place for me.”
So, Locke joined an organization that lacks depth at safety (just one player with more than 15 career starts), has that one experienced safety (Sean Davis) entering the final season of his contract and did little to address the position over the offseason (no draft picks or free-agency dollars used on a true safety).
Add in the fact that safeties tend to make solid special-teams contributors, and it’s clear there is an opening for Locke to impress his new team over this summer and training camp.
Ryan Clark gives P.J. Locke lll some high praise. #ThisIsTexas #HookEm pic.twitter.com/1l6Pt6rdhp
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) May 6, 2019
Locke started 31 games over four seasons – two as a defensive captain – at Texas. What potentially made him attractive to the Steelers is that he has a versatility that could allow him to fit in well with modern NFL defenses.
In college, he at times covered receivers in the slot and at times played a hybrid linebacker. In high school, he spent a season each as a linebacker, safety and cornerback.
“I believe I can play anything – I kind of have experience at every position,” Locke said.
“I just feel comfortable at every position. So, I think it helps me more because I know certain things that nickel has to do, I know certain things linebacker has to do. So when I get put back at safety, I kind of know what holes are open and things like that.”
The Most Versatile DB in the COUNTRY ?
— James "PJ" Locke III?? (@PjLocke4) January 15, 2019
Official P.J. Locke III (@PjLocke4) Career Highlights
Shoutout to the bro @BlakeHHarris for the Highlights ? ?
?Career stats: 160 tackles, 11 TFL, 12 PBU's, 4 FF, 3 INT
Full Tape: https://t.co/8ml7CVcmFc pic.twitter.com/0KHe1nCS2Q
Locke noted that he has had eight different defensive backs coaches over the eight seasons he played in high school and college.
“A lot of people who say that’s a bad thing – I look at it as, each coach brings something different to the table, so I just take it all, some from each, and add it to my arsenal,” the 5-10, 202-pound Locke said. “So as game changes, I can take those tools and just apply it.”
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