1st-round draft pick Najee Harris, 2nd-rounder Pat Freiermuth sign contracts with Steelers
On the first day of organized team activities, the Pittsburgh Steelers got their top two draft picks under contract when they signed running back Najee Harris and tight end Pat Freiermuth to four-year deals.
According to the NFL’s slotting system for draft picks, Harris got a $13.047 million deal that is guaranteed and included a $6.85 million signing bonus. The No. 24 overall pick also has a fifth-year option that can be exercised before Harris enters his fourth season.
The former Alabama running back set the school record with 3,843 career rushing yards. He also scored a school-record 57 touchdowns, including 46 rushing. His 4,624 all-purpose yards rank second in school history. As a senior, he was a first-team All-American.
Freiermuth, the No. 55 overall pick, caught 92 passes for 1,185 yards and 16 touchdowns at Penn State.
The Steelers have gotten eight of their nine draft picks under contract. The only player who hasn’t signed is former Illinois center Kendrick Green, the team’s third-round pick.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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