With their rookie minicamp just a couple of days away, the Steelers continued working hard to get their 2019 draft class under contract.
A day after signing sixth-round picks Sutton Smith and Isaiah Buggs, the team came to terms on a four-year deal with the first of its two third-round selections, wide receiver Diontae Johnson. A couple of hours later, they signed fourth-round pick Benny Snell and seventh-rounder Derwin Gray to four-year deals.
Johnson, a 5-foot-10, 183-pound product of Toledo, was the second player selected by the Steelers in this year's draft and was acquired with one of the two picks the team received from Oakland in return for Antonio Brown.
A two-time MAC Special Teams Player of the Year, Johnson is expected to pump up the Steelers' return game, which has been lacking in recent years. Johnson averaged 19.9 yards per punt return the past two seasons.
He also scored 23 touchdowns on 135 receptions, averaging 16.8 yards per catch at Toledo.
Snell, a 5-foot-10, 224-pound running back, was a three-time 1,000-yard runner and all-SEC pick at Kentucky. He is expected to back up James Conner this season.
Gray, an offensive tackle at Maryland, was the last of the team's nine selections in this year's draft.
With those three signings, the Steelers now have five of their nine draft picks signed.
Steelers' rookie minicamp begins Friday and runs through Sunday.
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