Bud Dupree holds up a Steelers jersey after they made him the No. 22 overall pick April 30. -- GETTY

May 14, 2015

News/views: Steelers sign top pick Dupree

by Dejan Kovacevic • News/views • Steelers

BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC

News: The Steelers just signed their first-round draft pick, outside linebacker Bud Dupree out of Kentucky, to a four-year contract.

Views: Yeah, yeah, I know, all picks sign now, with the new caps. But still … that’s six of eight picks already, and it will allow management the budget awareness to begin addressing immediate needs sooner rather than later. So that’s something.

Anyone remember when the top pick signing was a really big deal?

9 Comments Newest to oldest

Kevin in ABQ

5-14-2015, 5:51 pm

I remember when it didn't happen until the middle of the first week of training camp in Latrobe, by which time Coach Noll would say to a waiting media horde, "It's already too late for him to catch up this year."

Tom

5-14-2015, 5:52 pm

They've known for months how much they needed to allocate for their draft picks, don't understand how this changes/clarifies their situation one way or another

Dejan Kovacevic

5-14-2015, 5:55 pm

It's all relative, Tom, to the scope of their targets and their closeness to the cap. Sometimes even a few dollars can make the difference. Ask another team in town. :)

Tom

5-14-2015, 6:01 pm

Touché

Ken

5-14-2015, 6:04 pm

DK, I remember when signing your first round pick was a big deal. With social media and TV ,everyone knows immediately and the fun has gone out this tradition. I know you will enlighten us with your wit and humor. That's why I signed up! this is truly appreciated!

Milo Hamilton

5-14-2015, 6:24 pm

Sure, they have plenty of room under the cap to address needs. Problem is, there's no one out there really worth spending it on. Troy put them in a real bind by waiting so long.

jimmy streich

5-14-2015, 7:29 pm

Don't mind the set rookie contracts in NFL(since they have a salary cap) but bothered me when MLB set a salary cap on the draft since it was the big money clubs yet again getting their way and putting the screws to small market teams. Nice not having a guy hold out until training cap or later

steelag70

5-14-2015, 11:38 pm

Josh Bell would be playing college football right now if that cap had been in place for the draft then. Timing is everything.

David Drazga

5-15-2015, 11:41 am

Gotta love slotting and 4-year contracts for rooks.

Top picks used to miss half of camp. Now everybody will be signed before OTAs.

News/views: Steelers sign top pick Dupree

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