Thanks to free agency the Steelers roster has taken on a new look over the past week, with four new faces added to the mix.
On Tuesday the team added defensive end Tyson Alualu, while on Monday the team signed cornerback Coty Sensabaugh and running back Knile Davis, and last week receiver Justin Hunter was added on.
Alualu said he felt good about the team from the minute he arrived at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
"As soon as you walk in the building you get a sense from talking to the people, it's real genuine," said Alualu. "Just a place that loves to win, so I would love to be a part of that. Just excited about this opportunity.
"I don't think I could have left without signing a deal here, just wanting to be a part of something special. I am thankful to the Rooneys, Coach (Mike) Tomlin, Mr. (Kevin) Colbert. Taking a chance with me and giving me the opportunity to be a part of something special. I am thankful to be here. I had some tough years in Jacksonville. I just wanted a good change. I am excited to be here."
Alualu was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the 10th pick overall. He spent the last seven seasons with the Jaguars, seeing action in 110 games, starting 88, and was inactive for only two games in his career.
He brings versatility to the defensive line, with experience starting at both tackle and end, but seeing more action at end in 2016.
Alualu finished the 2016 season with 37 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble. For his career he has 258 tackles, 17.5 sacks, six passes defensed, and two forced fumbles.
And don't rule him out as a weapon on offense, kind of. Alualu caught two passes for 19 yards, including a 16-yarder for a first down, and has one carry for no yards.
Sensabaugh was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth-round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He saw immediate action his rookie season, playing in all 16 games on special teams and in the nickel defense. He played four seasons in Tennessee, playing in 59 total games and tallied 169 tackles, one sack, 23 passes defensed, and two interceptions with the Titans. He had a career-best 60 tackles in 2015, when he also added eight passes defensed and both interceptions. In his five seasons in the NFL, Sensabaugh has played in 72 games with 194 tackles, one sack, 23 passes defensed, and two interceptions.
Sensabaugh said he had a good feeling about the team as soon as he arrived at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
"Just coming to something special," said Sensabaugh. "I wanted to be part of a family here. The Steelers organization is top-notch. It's a family atmosphere. I was talking to everybody that has been in the building. I have been a part of a couple of other organizations and this is one of the top-notch organizations. When you walk around the building and see how things are run, you see why the Steelers are in it year-in and year-out.
"I have played here a couple of years and the fans are ridiculous. I am excited to play for them."
Davis, the Kansas City Chiefs third-round draft pick in 2013, has played in 57 games in his four season, including two with the Green Bay Packers in 2016.
"It's a wonderful situation," said Davis of signing with the team. "You have a good running back, a good coaching staff, good offensive scheme and good special teams. I think it's a good place for me.
"I felt like with (Coach) Mike Tomlin and what he is doing around here, the success that they have had, and they are looking good. I think I can help out."
He has 250 carries for 805 yards, a 3.2-yard average, and 11 touchdowns in his four seasons. He also has 34 receptions for 271 yards and a one touchdown.
Davis was utilized in the kickoff return game for the Chiefs, and in the 2015 AFC Wild Card game he returned the opening kickoff 106 yards for a touchdown against the Houston Texans. He also had a 108-yard kickoff return against the Denver Broncos in 2013. He has returned 73 kickoffs for 1,960 yards, a 26.8-yard average, and two kickoff returns for touchdowns. Davis had a 109-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Steelers in the 2013 preseason.
Hunter played in 12 games for the Buffalo Bills in 2016, starting five. He had 10 receptions for 189 yards, but made those count with four touchdown receptions.
Hunter, Tennessee's second round draft pick in 2013, played his first three seasons in the league with the Titans, before being claimed off of waivers by the Miami Dolphins prior to the start of the 2016 season. Hunter was waived after just one game with the Dolphins, and then claimed off of waivers by the Bills.
In his four seasons in the NFL Hunter has played in 48 regular season games, starting 18. He has 78 career receptions for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Here is a rundown of everyone who was signed after the season ended:
Defensive end Tyson Alualu - Signed a two-year contract.
Running back Le'Veon Bell - Placed franchise tag on him.
Linebacker Akil Blount – Blount, the son of Steelers' Hall of Famer Mel Blount, signed with the Miami Dolphins as a undrafted rookie free agent in 2016 but didn't play last season.
Wide receiver Antonio Brown - Signed a new five-year contract.
Running back Brandon Brown-Dukes - Was on the Steelers practice squad in 2016.
Long snapper Kameron Canaday – Spent time on the Arizona Cardinals roster in 2016.
Runnung back Knile Davis - Signed a one-year contract.
Cornerback Brandon Dixon - Was on the Steelers practice squad in 2016.
Linebacker Greg Ducre - Spent time with the San Diego Chargers and Washington Redskins on practice squad and active roster in 2014 and 2015. Also spent time with the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League.
Linebacker Jason Fanaika – Fanaika signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2016. He spent time on the Oakland Raiders and Washington Redskins practice squads.
Offensive lineman Kyle Friend – Friend spent time on the New York Jets practice squad in 2016.
Offensive lineman Matt Feiler - Was on the Steelers practice squad in 2016.
Safety Jacob Hagen - Was on the Steelers practice squad in 2016.
Tackle Ryan Harris - Retired.
Linebacker William Gay - Signed to a two-year contract.
Cornerback Mike Hilton - Was on the Steelers practice squad in 2016.
Defensive lineman Lavon Hook - Was with the Steelers during the 2016 offseason.
Punter A.J. Hughes – Signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by the New Orleans Saints in 2016, but didn't make the final roster.
Linebacker Farrington Huguenin - Signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2016, but was waived/injured before the start of the season.
Wide receiver Justin Hunter - Signed to a one-year deal.
Tight end David Johnson – Signed to a two-year contract after the start of free agency.
Cornerback Devonte Johnson – Johnson, who played at Weber State, signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2016, but was released before the start of the season.
Running back Gus Johnson - Was on the Steelers practice squad in 2016.
Linebacker Steven Johnson - Signed a one-year contract to avoid becoming a free agent.
Quarterback Landry Jones - Signed to a two-year contract after the start of free agency.
Offensive lineman Mike Matthews – Matthews, who is the son of Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews, signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2016.
Offensive lineman Keavon Milton - Was on the Steelers practice squad in 2016.
Defensive lineman Roy Philon - Was with the Steelers during the 2016 offseason.
Cornerback Coty Sensabaugh - Signed to a two-year contract.
Running back Dreamius Smith - Was on the Steelers practice squad in 2016.
Wide receiver Dez Stewart - Was on the Green Bay Packers practice squad in 2016.
Wide receiver Marcus Tucker - Was on the Steelers practice squad in 2016.
Long snapper Greg Warren - Signed a one-year deal to avoid becoming a free agent.
Running back Trey Williams – Williams came into the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Washington Redskins in 2015. Williams, who played at Texas A&M, also spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts.
