Miles

Killebrew

Killebrew is a core special teamer for the Steelers, and has played over 59% of the special teams snaps for his teams in every season of his career. If you see him on the field on defense, serious injuries have hit or it’s garbage time. Still, he’s obviously valued.

The soon-to-be 28-year-old only played on special teams with the Lions in 2020. He’ll likely do the same with the Steelers.

Killebrew rarely saw the field last year, playing just 87 defensive snaps. His special teams value should be enough to secure his 2020 roster spot.

Killebrew has been a defensive stopper in limited snaps the last two weeks, recording nine tackles despite playing just 21 snaps total on defense. Several of those tackles have been big stops on third down. Still, Killebrew is expected to remain in his specialist role behind Glover Quin, Tavon Wilson, and Rafael Bush.

“I really think Miles is going to be a good player for us,” Quin said. Killebrew, the 111th pick in last year’s draft, played 158 snaps as a rookie, but made a ton of big stops on third downs and packs a big punch at 6'2/222. He can play both strong safety and some linebacker in sub-packages. With third safety Rafael Bush a free agent, Killebrew could be elevated to take his 511 snaps.

Killebrew has the size to be a linebacker (6'2/222) and played that position in certain sub-packages last year. But ultimately the Lions believe his future is at safety. “You can call him what you want to call him,” said Quinn. “He can play down near the box because of his size, but he’s a safety.” The 2016 fourth-rounder could push starter Tavon Wilson for snaps at strong safety this season.

Killebrew and Tavon Wilson operated as the first-team safeties. Glover Quin was absent and will bump one of those two from the lineup whenever he returns. Quin is a lock at free safety, but the other spot is up for grabs with Killebrew, Wilson, Alex Carter and Don Carey all vying for snaps.

The Lions reportedly “tested” Killebrew by telling him they weren’t interested at the Senior Bowl, only to draft him in the fourth round three months later. He was a first-team All-Big Sky selection in his senior year at Southern Utah.

Glover Quin is entrenched at free safety, but strong safety is up for grabs with Killebrew, Tavon Wilson and Rafael Bush all competing for snaps. GM Bob Quinn expects the Lions to play sub-packages about 70 percent of the time and Killebrew has the size and speed necessary to excel on passing downs. “Hopefully he can have a role covering tight ends,” said Quinn. A physical player known for dishing out punishing hits, Killebrew was awarded first-team All-Big Sky honors in his senior season at Southern Utah.

The fourth-rounder was an impact player on extremely limited snaps (149) as a rookie, so it makes sense for Detroit to get him on the field more. Those added snaps could come as the starter next to Glover Quin, although Tavon Wilson is the favorite for that spot, or more likely as a third safety in sub packages.