Two draft picks signed their rookie deals with the Steelers on Tuesday.
Defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs was the first. A sixth-round pick out of Alabama, he signed his four-year contract shortly before Sutton Smith, a linebacker from Northern Illinois who was selected earlier in the sixth round last month.
Buggs had 9 ½ sacks during his senior season last fall. He was the only defensive lineman selected by the Steelers last month and is expected to compete for a reserve role behind starters Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt.
Smith put up 15 sacks for the Huskies in 2018 playing as an outside linebacker, though it’s possible his smaller stature may force him to move inside in the NFL.
Rookie minicamp begins Friday. All rookie draft picks are expected to take part even if they haven’t signed their contracts.
Ray Fittipaldo: rfittipaldo@post-gazette.com and Twitter @rayfitt1.
First Published: May 7, 2019, 7:20 p.m.
Updated: May 7, 2019, 8:11 p.m.