The Steelers signed third-round draft pick James Conner to a four-year contract. Conner was the team's second of two third round picks, taken with a compensatory selection.
Conner, a running back from the University of Pittsburgh, is the fourth of the team's eight players from the 2017 NFL Draft to sign.
Conner rushed for 1,092 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2016, after battling Hodgkin's lymphoma prior to the start of the season and coming off a knee injury.
"We're very excited about this young man," said running backs coach James Saxon. "Excellent football player, hard worker. He is a no-frills football player running the ball downhill. He is a great guy. What he does as a football player is what we want.
"The fun thing about being around this young man, is you know you are going to get hard work, a guy that is committed. A guy that wants to learn and get better every day."
Conner said that playing for the Steelers was the best possible scenario for him, having the opportunity to learn from Le'Veon Bell as well as play in a city where he feels right at home.
"It just felt right here," said Conner. "I am familiar with the city. Now I get to call it home. It's a blessing.
"I am familiar with Heinz Field. A lot of great memories there. For me to continue to play there with Steelers Nation, the Terrible Towels, I am getting chills thinking about it."
