The Pittsburgh Steelers have locked down one of their defensive free agents already this offseason. The team signed cornerback Ross Cockrell to a one-year extension on Friday, the team announced.
Cockrell played in 15 games for the Steelers this past year. He was picked up by the team after being released by the Buffalo Bills after training camp before the start of the 2015 season. Cockrell turned out to be quite the pickup for the Steelers, as he started seven out of his 15 games. His numbers for the Steelers this past season had him recording 43 tackles, two interceptions and 11 pass breakups.
Before beginning his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers this past year, but in 2014 was with the Bills. Cockrell was the Bills’ fourth-round pick, 109th overall, in the 2014 NFL Draft. However, in his rookie year, he only appeared in seven games for the Bills. Before his NFL career, Cockrell started his path to the NFL at the University of Duke. Cockrell said he was instantly welcomed to the Pittsburgh Steelers whenever he came from Buffalo.
“As soon as I got here I just felt welcomed,” said Cockrell to the Steelers official website. “Playing on the field, winning games, it’s special here. It was a great experience overall. Playing for the Steelers means you are somebody who is striving for greatness. You want your team, your city, this organization to be more. That is what you get from everybody. You feel like you represent more than just yourself.”
The team also announced the signing of Dustin Vaughan to a Reserve/Future contract. Just like Cockrell, he also spent time with the Buffalo Bills. However, he was only on the practice squad during the 2015 season. In the 2014 season, Vaughan served as the third string quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys.
