After signing tight end Jesse James earlier in the day, the Steelers reduced the number of unsigned draft picks down to two, as they signed first-round pick Bud Dupree to his rookie deal on Thursday evening.
According to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the deal with Dupree is for four years, worth $9.2 million. The deal includes a $5 million signing bonus and a fifth option year.
Steelers sign first-round pick Bud Dupree to four-year, $9.2 M contact, $5 M signing bonus, plus 5th option year
— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) May 14, 2015
In his college career, Dupree recorded 23.5 sacks at the University of Kentucky, the most by any active SEC player. Dupree started the final 36 games of his professional career, and recorded 36 tackles for loss in a 45-game career, according to his NFL.com draft profile.
The Steelers, despite needing help in the secondary desperately, drafted Dupree in the first round, as they’ve been unable to find enough edge-rush help.
With the signing of Dupree, the only unsigned draft picks that remain are wide receiver Sammie Coates, taken in the third round, and safety Gerod Holliman, taken in the seventh round out of Louisville.
Stay tuned to Pittsburgh Sporting News for the latest on the Dupree signing and the soon-to-be signed Coates and Holliman.
