Q. Daylen, how much is press man part of your game, and how much do you utilize your physical tools to be a real feature in a game on the field?
DAYLEN EVERETTE: Yeah, I'd say press man is a real big part of my game just because if you watch the tape when I was at Georgia, that was pretty much what I did for maybe 80, 85 percent of my snaps. So that's just something I feel like that's really a strength of my game.
The main tool really is just to get hands on and disrupt the timing of the receiver.
Q. What were your interactions like with the Steelers leading up to the draft? Did you have any inclination that they were interested in taking you?
DAYLEN EVERETTE: Well, I met with them at the combine. I had a formal interview with them at the combine, and then I talked to them before pro day, and they were kind of at my pro day and stuff, and I had really good conversations with them and the whole staff.
Q. Was Patrick Graham in your interview, and if so, what were your impressions of him, the defensive coordinator?
DAYLEN EVERETTE: I'm not too sure. I really only talked to the head coach -- well, I think he was in there. I think he was in there.
Q. The Steelers obviously have a tradition of defense. What do you know about their tradition? How do you think your style fits what traditionally has been here?
DAYLEN EVERETTE: Yeah, traditionally I feel like they play a real physical brand of football, with like the steel curtain and stuff. I pride my game on physicality, so I think I fit right into that.
Q. How well do you know Broderick and Darnell, and have you talked to them or heard anything about Pittsburgh?
DAYLEN EVERETTE: I know them pretty well. I was there, they were with me my freshman year at Georgia, so I got to hang out with them a good bit. They were the kind of older guys, and I was just trying to -- even though they didn't play my position, I still tried to sit back and learn from being a college football, what it takes, and they did a good job kind of showing me the ropes earlier in my career.
Q. How do you feel a program like Georgia prepares you to play for a team like the Steelers?
DAYLEN EVERETTE: I just think to play this game, you've got to be physical, and that's one thing at Georgia that we prided ourselves in. Those are our DNA traits: Toughness, composure, connection, resiliency. I feel like that gets you prepared physically for the next level but then also they do a lot of things that will help you prepare mentally.
I feel like without me being at the University of Georgia, I wouldn't even be in this position to be picked. I'll be forever grateful for my time at University of Georgia.
Q. I know one of the things Coach Smart really focuses on is everybody plays special teams. What's your experience in those areas, and do you feel like that's a pathway for you to get playing time early in the league?
DAYLEN EVERETTE: Yeah, I think so, just because my freshman year, that was one thing that Coach Smart really said -- he said, before you start on offense or defense, you're going to play on special teams first. That was my way of kind of getting on the field, especially my freshman year. I played a good amount of special teams. That's kind of how you work your way to getting on the field, earning the coaches' trust, and I think it's really the same into the league. The special teams is important, and that's really how you can get yourself on to the field.
Q. I know you're a bigger guy; do you have any experience playing the slot, or has that come up whether you've talked with teams throughout the process?
DAYLEN EVERETTE: I have some experience, not really in a game. Different type of scenarios I have to play in the slot, play a nickel, and also at the Senior Bowl I played a little bit more nickel at the Senior Bowl just to show I was capable of doing it.
Q. What do you think you showed at the Senior Bowl in those nickel reps, and how different was it from playing on the outside?
DAYLEN EVERETTE: I think I showed versatility, that that was something I couldn't really show in the game film, so I was glad I was able to show it at the Senior Bowl. It's different because you're kind of playing inside so there's a little more space each way. But also, it's also a good thing because I feel like learning how to play nickel and in the slot makes you a better corner on the outside because you have a better understanding where your help is in certain coverages and situations.
Q. Steelers also drafted an Alabama receiver tonight, Germie Bernard. Did you match up with him the last couple seasons, and if so, what were your thoughts, and how much are you looking forward to being on the same side now as a Bama guy?
DAYLEN EVERETTE: Yeah, you know, when we were kind of game planning as a team at Georgia for where Bernard was, he's one of those guys where he lines up anywhere, he can play outside, inside. He plays in the backfield, so he's a real versatile player. I'm glad that we're teaming up now because playing against him the past two years, I know the type of player that he is, so I'm just looking forward to teaming up with him.
Q. What do you feel like the Steelers really liked about you?
DAYLEN EVERETTE: I think on the field, just I'm one of those real competitive physical type of players. I feel like that's what I pride myself in is physicality, and that's what shows up on tape, and I think that's what they liked. Off the field, I think they see how good of a kid I am, and I just always try to do things the right way.
DraftScripts by ASAP Sports
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports