Pittsburgh Steelers Sign First Round Draft Pick

Started from the bottom now we’re here. The Steelers signed their first round draft pick, Ryan Shazier to a four-year contract on Thursday afternoon. The team had begun signing the draft picks from the bottom of the draft and now have six out of the nine draftees inked to deals.

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Ryan Shazier is a 6’1”, 237lb inside linebacker from Ohio State. He led the Big Ten in tackles and tackles for losses in 2013. His biggest attribute by far is his speed. Described as one of the fastest linebackers to come out of college football by NFL Network’s Mike Mayock, Shazier is a defensive player the Steelers definitely set their sights on and were excited to draft when he was available to them at the 15^th pick.

Shazier looks to fit in with the Steelers newly assembled younger, faster defense as it’s reported that he’s been working primarily with the first team during the Steelers’ OTA practices. Dick LeBeau has had some pretty high praise for the young man so far since the draft.

"“He has almost unlimited potential. He’s one of those rare athletes who can probably do about anything you ask him to do. You look at a guy like him and you say, ‘Wow, we can do some things with that guy.’ By the time we picked him, I already had a couple of blitzes in mind for him, let’s put it that way.” – Dick LeBeau"

Financial terms of the four-year deal have not been disclosed yet. This is the first move the Steelers have made since receiving the additional cap space on June 1^st. Look for Ryan to be the first of many signings in the next couple of weeks.