MILES KILLEBREW

Position: Safety

Ht/Wt: 6-2, 222

College: Southern Utah

Experience: 2nd season

Outlook: Killebrew, like a number of players in last year's draft class, carved out a role for himself as a rookie both on special teams and in sub packages on defense. Having played a significant role as a rookie, expectations are obviously higher in year two.

He was a valuable cover man and reliable tackler as an extra safety in the dime, and his role is expected to increase this season. Right now, he's the third safety behind starters Glover Quin and Tavon Wilson, but he's looking to push Wilson for a starting role.

Killebrew's value is that he can do so many things. He's big, he's fast, he can cover, play in the box and even be an extra linebacker if needed. He's a Swiss Army Knife for defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, and those type of players are invaluable on gameday.

Practice report: Wilson returned to practice Wednesday after sitting out Tuesday with an injury, but he did so in a red jersey, which afforded Killebrew some first-team reps in an early red zone team session. He was used as a cover man and a blitzer in the period.

Killebrew did an especially nice job all practice with his run fits. He was the first man in the hole on a few occasions, and would have delivered a big blow to the running back had the periods been live.

In a blitz drill against running backs and tight ends, Killebrew's speed allowed him to get around tight end Khari Lee in one rep. Tight end Michael Roberts and running back Tion Green, however, did a nice job holding Killebrew back in their reps in the blitz drill.

Quotable: "I just want to be able to contribute the best way I can," Killebrew said after Wednesday's practice. "That's just being able to fly around and make plays and do it efficiently.

"The game has slowed down a little bit for me. I know what I'm doing. It's a lot slower, if that makes sense. It's fun, man. It's a lot more fun. I'm having a blast."