Steelers rookie minicamp notebook: Practice stays outside despite cool weather

Mike Tomlin used this week’s less-than-pleasant early-May Pittsburgh weather as an opportunity to give his rookie class a more comprehensive tour of the Steelers’ facilities.

While the first on-field walkthrough-style practice of rookie minicamp Friday was indoors, Saturday’s was outside at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex — despite a chilly breeze and light drizzle.

“We are just allowing them to get familiar with our facility,” Tomlin said. “We walked through inside, and then worked outside (later Friday). We then had a dinner over the stadium. So more than anything, it’s about an opportunity to not only for us to get usual work in, but also show them the facility and what we are about.”

1^st pick’s 1^st impression

Of the approximately four dozen players taking part in this weekend’s rookie camp, none is higher profile than first-round pick Troy Fautanu. Tomlin was asked what the offensive tackle from Washington has shown him in the very early going of his career.

“I don’t come into these relationships assuming anything; it’s been good to get to know him,” Tomlin said. “We had dinner last night; sat at the table together. So just continuing that process. He’s in very good condition relative to his position. So that’s a really good place to start in terms of laying a foundation to his career.”

3 sign

Three more draft picks officially put pen to paper in signing their standard four-year rookie contracts Saturday. Third-round wide receiver Roman Wilson, third-round linebacker Payton Wilson and sixth-round defensive back Ryan Watts each were announced as signed. Roman Wilson was taken 84^th overall out of Michigan, Payton Wilson was picked 98th out of N.C. State, and Watts was the Steelers’ final pick at No. 195 overall, from Texas.

Friday, picks from the fourth round (guard Mason McCormick) and earlier in the sixth (defensive lineman Logan Lee) signed contracts. That leaves only Fautanu who has yet to sign.

That is considered a formality because rookie salaries are slotted as per terms of the NFL/NFLPA collective bargaining agreement.

2 new faces

For Saturday’s workouts, the Steelers announced that Michigan tight end Joel Honigford and Bowie State linebacker Joshua Pryor were additions to the rookie camp roster.

Twenty-one tryouts were on the roster the team distributed Friday in addition to 12 rookies (seven draft picks and five signed undrafted free agents) and 10 first-year players — most of which spent last season on the Steelers (or another team’s) practice squad.