Steelers sign final draft pick, 3rd-round cornerback Justin Layne | TribLIVE.com
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Steelers sign final draft pick, 3rd-round cornerback Justin Layne

Joe Rutter
| Thursday, May 30, 2019 4:28 p.m.
AP
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Justin Layne (31) makes a catch in drill during NFL football practice, Saturday, May 11, 2019, in Pittsburgh.

Cornerback Justin Layne became the final member of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ draft class to sign his rookie contract, when he agreed to a four-year deal Thursday that has a total slot value of about $3.45 million.

The third-round draft pick out of Michigan State and the No. 83 overall player taken, Layne was the only unsigned draft pick after the conclusion of rookie minicamp earlier this month.

The 6-foot-3 Layne was a second-team all-conference selection in the Big Ten during his junior season in 2018. He had 72 tackles, 15 pass breakups and one interception last season for the Spartans.

Layne has attended the first two weeks of organized team activities at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex and has strictly played at the outside cornerback positions. He said he no longer is in awe of the team’s veteran skill players when he lines up in the secondary.

That wasn’t the case when he reported for voluntary workouts.

Layne admitted to being wowed by lining up across from wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Donte Moncrief early in OTAs.

“It’s crazy, but at the same time we have to work,” Layne said. “The first couple of days, it was, ‘Ah, shoot,’ but we are just working now. They are regular people (to me) now. It’s like back in college.”

Layne has worked with mostly the second-team defense during OTAs.

“I’ve had a couple of picks, gotten my hands on the ball a couple of times,” he said. “I’m trying to get better and keep making plays.”


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