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Tomlin: 'Realistic' Steelers could start 2 rookies in secondary

Andy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / Getty

It's been years since the Pittsburgh Steelers were confident in their starting secondary, but head coach Mike Tomlin believes his team may have found a solution in a pair of rookies.

The Steelers drafted cornerback Artie Burns out of Miami in the first round and safety Sean Davis out of Maryland in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Safety Mike Mitchell and corner William Gay are likely to remain in the starting secondary with Burns and Davis set to compete for positions alongside them.

"I believe it's realistic," Tomlin told Michael Stern of USA TODAY Sports, when asked if both rookies could start. "That's why we chose them where we chose them. But they have to earn it, and we'll give them the opportunity to do that."

Davis will have to beat out Shamarko Thomas, who is entering his fourth year with the Steelers, while Burns will compete with the likes of Ross Cockrell and Senquez Golson for a starting job.

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