Steelers Sign Promising Free Agent to Unprecedented Contract

Once the NFL Draft concluded on Saturday, the teams' area scouts look at the players who were not drafted and fight to get the ones that they want as priority free agents. The Pittsburgh Steelers were no different.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Steelers signed former South Alabama tight end DJ Thomas-Jones to a rookie deal which included a $30,000 signing bonus. The bonus was the largest the Steelers have given to a non-quarterback following the draft in team history.

Thomas-Jones does not have impressive statistics from his collegiate career. He never caught more than 30 balls in a season or attained more than 250 yards in receptions. He is, however, a good blocker. 

Good blocking tight ends are arguably. hard to find and he will be given a chance in camp to show his promise.

The amount of the bonus shows the Steelers are in need of depth at the tight end position for training camp.  

But …

This signing bonus is not an indication Thomas-Jones will make the final roster by any means.

The Steelers appear to be set at the tight end position as their two-deep depth chart shows Pat Freiermuth as the starter, with former Georgia Bulldogs' star Darnell Washington right behind him. Further, Connor Heyward lines up at fullback and tight end, depending on the formation.

If Thomas-Jones is going to have any hope of landing a spot on the 53-man roster when the team breaks camp, he might have to show the versatility that Heyward possesses.