LATROBE, Pa. — It was clear when the Pittsburgh Steelers took Sean Davis out of Maryland in the second round of this year's NFL draft that the team felt he could step in right away and help a secondary that struggled last year.

Recent circumstances have dictated that Davis might get even more playing time than originally anticipated.

Davis, who was the 58th overall pick in the draft, played both safety and cornerback at Maryland. He is the Terps' highest draft pick since Torrey Smith was taken by the Ravens in 2011, also with the 58th overall pick. Davis is the second player from Maryland on the Steelers' roster, joining wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Davis played safety his first two years before moving to cornerback last season. He's taken reps at both positions in training camp and, with the recent injury of cornerback Senquez Golson, could see his workload increase.

“More than anything, he's highly conditioned. He's one of the few rookies I've seen that really looks like he's come prepared from a conditioning standpoint,” said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, following a joint practice with the Detroit Lions on Tuesday at St. Vincent College.

“He's playing some at strong safety and playing some at nickel back position and in some of our sub packages. I think, more than anything from an assessment standpoint, his high level of conditioning allows him to get extra work, which of course accelerates the learning curve.”

In Friday's preseason game against the Lions, Davis was second on the team with five tackles, though he did miss a few tackles that gave Detroit chunks of extra yardage and was assessed a costly personal foul. He was the starting nickel cornerback in the first half and switched to safety in the second.

“It's hard, but that's my job as of right now,” said Davis, following the 30-17 loss to the Lions. “Playing nickel is a really hard position — playing the safety spot is hard as well. I have a full plate. I just need to continue to work and study and continue to get better.”

Davis, who played in high school for Maret in Washington, signed a four-year, $4.08 million contract May 20, which included a $1.17 million signing bonus.

Davis started 40 games during his Maryland career. His draft stock improved after he was an honorable-mention All-Big Ten Conference selection his senior year, when he had 88 tackles, three interceptions and was among the Football Bowl Subdivision leaders in forced fumbles with five.

Even though Davis is from Washington, the Steelers were one of the teams he had his eyes on as the draft approached.

“My dad really likes the Steelers and Coach Tomlin,” Davis said. “It was like a dream come true when I got that phone call.”

When the Steelers released their first depth chart of the preseason, Davis was listed fourth at strong safety behind Robert Golden, Shamarko Thomas and Ray Vinopal. Asked about his spot on the depth chart last week, Davis said he didn't even know about it and it doesn't change his approach.

“I'm not really worried about that,” Davis said. “I'm just controlling what I can control and trying to make plays and do what I can.”

Davis was the second defensive back taken by the Steelers in the draft, following Miami's Artie Burns in the first round. The team struggled against the pass last year, finishing 30th in the league in yards allowed. Upon getting drafted, the early indications were the Steelers wanted to use Davis more at strong safety. His ability to play both safety and cornerback, though, could lead to more playing time.

“I don't really have a preference,” Davis said. “I'm learning a lot, and wherever they need me, whether that's at corner or safety, I'm going to be ready.”

If Davis remains injury-free — he's been wrapping his left knee following practice for the past week — he'll make his regular-season debut Sept. 12 when the Steelers open the season on Monday Night Football at the Washington Redskins in Davis' hometown.

“That's going to be crazy. I'm just so happy and my dreams are finally coming true,” Davis said. “Everyone's going to be watching. I'm saving money now to buy all the tickets for everyone. It's going to be awesome.”