Steelers announce signing of rookie CB Justin Layne to 4-year contract

The Pittsburgh Steelers finally announced the signing of third-round selection Justin Layne to a four-year deal on Thursday, the last of the team’s 2019 draft picks to agree to terms. A move the Steelers officially confirmed via social media.

Expected to compete with cornerbacks Artie Burns and Brian Allen for a backup role behind presumed starters Joe Haden and Steven Nelson, Layne was rated by many experts as one of the steals of the draft. A prospect many had been projected to be long gone before the 83rd overall pick.

While the terms of the deal have yet to be revealed, it should be expected that the numbers will closely match the figures projected by OverTheCap.com ahead of the draft. A deal that would pay Layne just over $3,4 million over the length of the contract and include a signing bonus worth in the region of $920,000.

The Steelers have managed to complete the signings of their 2019 draft class in record time by their standards this offseason. By comparison, it took until July 24 last year to sign the 2018 class, with Terrell Edmunds the last to agree to terms. In 2017, T.J Watt did not sign his rookie deal until June 14.

2019 NFL Draft Class:

1 — Devin Bush — Signed 4-year contract

3 — Diontae Johnson — Signed 4-year contract

3 — Justin Layne — Signed 4-year contract

4 — Benny Snell Jr. — Signed 4-year contract

5 — Zach Gentry — Signed 4-year contract

6 — Sutton Smith — Signed 4-year contract

6 — Isaiah Buggs — Signed 4-year contract

6 — Ulysees Gilbert III — Signed 4-year contract

7 — Derwin Gray — Signed 4-year contract