Pittsburgh first-round draft pick Terrell Edmunds, left, and owner Art Rooney II hold up a jersey after a news conference at the team's headquarters in Pittsburgh Friday. Edmunds was surprised to hear his name called by Ryan Shazier at the NFL Draft podium Thursday night, but the safety is eager to make an impact with his new team.

PITTSBURGH — If Terrell Edmunds is being honest, he didn’t expect to hear his name called during the first round of the NFL draft.

And then the versatile safety from Virginia Tech’s phone rang on Thursday night. Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was on the other end.

Moments later Edmunds didn’t just hear his name called after Pittsburgh selected him with the 28th overall pick, he heard it from injured Pro Bowl linebacker Ryan Shazier after Shazier slowly but steadily walked onto the stage to hand the draft card with Edmunds’ name on it to commissioner Roger Goodell, Shazier’s first public steps since a spinal injury last December put his career in jeopardy.

There are far less memorable ways to begin your professional career.

“I was surprised, honestly” to be picked, Edmunds said. “I’m ready. I’m telling you I’m ready.”

The AFC North champions need Edmunds to be if they want their latest attempt at overhauling the secondary to be a success. The Steelers cut safeties Mike Mitchell and Rob Golden in March and signed veteran Morgan Burnett as a stopgap.

Enter Edmunds, who has the size (6-foot-1, 217 pounds) and the speed (4.47 40-yard dash) to become a valuable contributor in a defensive backfield that includes Joe Haden, Artie Burns and Sean Davis.

While Edmunds might have been stunned by his selection, the Steelers were not. After all the top inside linebackers were taken — a spot of considerable need with Shazier already ruled out for 2018 — Pittsburgh wasted little time turn its attention to Edmunds.

“We felt this was the best player,” general manager Kevin Colbert said after the Steelers used a first-round pick on a safety for the first time since taking Troy Polamalu 16th in 2003. “This was plain for us.”

Edmunds was taken 12 picks after Buffalo chose his younger brother Tremaine with the 16th selection.

“It’s a blessing for my family overall,” said Edmunds, whose father Ferrell made the Pro Bowl twice during his six-year NFL career as a tight end for Miami and Seattle. “It didn’t matter where (Tremaine) went and I went.”

The Steelers were drawn to Edmunds’ ability to move around the field. Colbert pointed out there were times during Edmunds’ career at Virginia Tech he would flip from strong safety to free safety on the same play.

“We got a sharp, young versatile guy who’s a good communicator, who plays with physicality,” Colbert said. “He checks all the boxes for us.”

Edmunds started 31 games in three seasons for the Hokies, collecting six interceptions while also developing a reputation as a sure tackler. His junior season in 2017 was cut short by a shoulder injury that required surgery, though Colbert said it won’t be an issue when he reports for organized team activities next month.

Colbert and Tomlin declined to get into specifics about Edmunds’ possible role. Edmunds doesn’t particularly care where he lines up.

“I just feel it’s wherever you put me, I’ll make a play for you,” he said.