Steelers Sign Four Draft Picks

PITTSBURGH,None — The Pittsburgh Steelers signed four draft picks Tuesday from this year's NFL Draft, including wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, linebacker Stevenson Sylvester, running back Jonathan Dwyer and wide receiver Antonio Brown.

Sanders (5-11, 180), out of SMU, was the Steelers' third round pick (82nd overall) in the Draft and finished as the Mustangs' career leader in receptions (235), touchdown receptions (34) and receiving yards (3,791). He was a first-team all-Conference USA selection last year as a senior after posting 98 catches for 1,339 yards and seven touchdowns.

Sanders ranked sixth in the NCAA with 103 receiving yards per game in 2009. Sanders is an explosive receiver with big-play ability. He will add depth to a wide receiving group that includes Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Antwaan Randle El, and Arnaz Battle. Sanders signed a three-year, $1,801,000 contract that includes a signing bonus of $586,000, according to one Pittsburgh newspaper.

One of three linebackers selected in this year's Draft by the Steelers, Sylvester (6-2, 231) was the team's third of three selections in the fifth round (166th overall). A first-team all-MWC selection for Utah, he was a two-year captain and the defensive MVP of the 2009 Poinsettia Bowl. Sylvester started all 13 games last year and finished with a team-best 81 tackles. Sylvester signed a three-year, $1,335,500 contract that includes a $116,500 signing bonus, according to the newspaper.

Dwyer (5-11, 229) was the Steelers first of two sixth-round picks (188th overall) in this year's NFL Draft out of Georgia Tech. A first-team all-ACC selection his final two seasons, he earned the conference's Offensive Player of the Year award as a sophomore in 2008 after leading the team with 1,395 rushing yards on 200 carries while earning All-America status. Last year as a junior, he matched his rushing total from the previous year with 1,395 yards on 235 attempts, the fourth-best rushing total in school history. Dwyer added 14 touchdowns in 2009. Dwyer signed a three-year contract worth $1,292,800 that includes a $77,800 signing bonus, according to the newspaper.

Brown (5-10, 186) was Pittsburgh's second of two sixth-round selections (195th overall) in this year's Draft. He finished his career as Central Michigan's all-time leader in receptions (305), which ranked second in MAC history. As a junior in 2009, Brown was named the conference's Special Teams Player of the Year for the second straight season and earned first-team all-MAC honors as both a receiver and punt returner. He caught a school-record 110 passes for 1,198 yards and nine touchdowns last year. Brown signed a three-year, $1,288,000 contract that includes a $73,000 signing bonus, according to the newspaper.

All four will receive the three-year minimum salaries of $320,000 in 2010, $405,000 in 2011 and $490,000 in 2012, according to the newspaper.

With those signings, the Steelers now have six of their 10 draft picks under contract. Linebacker Thaddeus Gibson and defensive tackle Doug Worthington signed last week. First-round selection Maurkice Pouncey and second-round selection Jason Worilds both remain unsigned.

The Steelers made additional roster moves by releasing seven free agents, including wide receiver Jason Chery, kicker Piotr Czech, linebacker Derrick Doggett, punter Adam Graessle, nose tackle Cordarrow Thompson, center Bradley Vierling and cornerback Trae Williams.

WPXI