Mike Tomlin has two more tools to play with this season, as the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports that the team signed their first and second round picks to their rookie deals. The moves came on a day where Mike Tomlin gave the team a day off.
Pittsburgh Steelers sign Jarvis Jones and Le’Veon Bell
The Steelers signed their top two picks from the 2013 NFL Draft.
Justin K. Aller
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
Both Jarvis Jones and Le'Veon Bell have a chance to contribute significantly in 2013, and could become potential starters on a team who have retooled their defense this off-season.
Jones was selected with the 17th overall pick, and will be extremely important this season for the Steelers. The organization was unable to reach terms with incumbent starter James Harrison, creating a deficit in the team's pass rush. Harrison struggled each of the last two years -- contributing a combined 15.0 sacks -- but isn't too far removed from multiple 10-sack seasons. Jones was one of college football's most productive pass rushers, but fell in the draft due to health concerns.
Bell could also be a factor this year, as the second-round pick drew comparisons to former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis in the pre-draft process. The power back finds himself in a void left by Rashard Mendenhall, who left for Arizona via free agency.
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