Steelers sign final draft pick to four-year contract

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed eight of their nine 2019 draft picks to four-year contracts.

The Steelers signed third-round pick Justin Layne to a four-year contract on May 30. Layne was the final Steelers draft pick to sign with the team.

Layne, a defensive back from Michigan State, was the team's second pick in the third round.

“I really like him and his potential,” said Teryl Austin, senior defensive assistant/secondary coach. “When I first saw him, I thought he was really quick bodied, long arms, good ball skills, and very competitive."

Layne has been a part of the team's OTA's.

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First-round draft pick Devin Bush signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Bush, a linebacker who played at the University of Michigan, was drafted 141st overall.

“It’s just a testament to me as a player,” said Bush. “They like me enough as a player and as a person to feel comfortable enough to trade up and snag me.”

Fifth-round draft pick Zach Gentry signed with the team on Thursday. Gentry, who played at the University of Michigan, was drafted 141st overall.

“He's a good football player, long frame,” said tight ends coach James Daniel. “He's a guy we are excited about getting in and getting to work with. He's more depth at the receiving end. He has some adjusting to do. He can become a good blocker. I think the kid is excited about it and willing.”

The Steelers announced Thursday the signing of sixith-round draft pick Ulysees Gilbert.

Gilbert, who played linebacker at the University of Akron, was the team's third sixth-round pick, selected 207th overall.

“He could really cover a lot of ground, sideline to sideline and he'll hit you,” said Steelers linebackers coach Jerry Olsavsky. “That's what we look for. If you like to run around and hit people, you know you're good for us.”

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The Steelers announced Wednesday the signing of fourth-round draft pick Benny Snell to a four-year contract.

Snell, a running back from the University of Kentucky, was selected with the 122nd pick overall.

Snell said he was familiar with the Steelers offensive style before he was drafted.

“It’s hard-nosed football,” Snell said. “I am grinding for every yard. I am a physical player. My style of running is Steelers football. Pittsburgh football. That is what I am going to bring.”

The Steelers signed Diontae Johnson, a third-round draft pick, to a four-year contract, the team announced Wednesday.

Johnson was selected by the Steelers with the 66th overall pick, which was acquired from the Oakland Raiders in the Antonio Brown trade. He is a receiver from the University of Toledo.

“I’m glad I’m with the Steelers and I’m ready to show them what I can bring to the table,” Johnson said. “They’re taking the chance on me and I just want to let them know they made the right decision. I’m going to give them all I got.”

TRENDING NOW:

The Steelers have signed a linebacker to a four-year contract, the team announced Tuesday.

Sutton Smith played at Northern Illinois and was the first of three sixth-round picks for the team during this year's NFL draft.

Smith played defensive end in college, but will be transitioned to a linebacker, according to the team's website.

Smith played at Northern Illinois University.

The Steelers announced Tuesday the signing of sixth-round draft pick Isaiah Buggs to a four-year contract.

Buggs, a defensive end who played at Alabama, was the team’s second of three sixth-round picks. He was selected with the 192nd pick overall.

On Wednesday, the Steelers signed seventh-round draft pick Derwin Gray to a four-year contract.

Gray, an offensive tackle who played at the University of Maryland, could move to guard.

“Definitely has some guard, physical characteristics that we would be interested in looking at as well,” said Coach Mike Tomlin. “Flexibility and versatility will be an element of discussion.”

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