The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed Ohio State edge rusher Jack Sawyer to his rookie contract. Sawyer’s rookie deal, like all rookie contracts, will be a four-year contract.
Sawyer joins a loaded edge rusher group that includes T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig. Watt is heading into the last year of his deal, and meanwhile, the Steelers have struggled to stop the run. Sawyer could be brought in to help with that case.
He is one of two Ohio State players to be drafted by the Steelers, including quarterback Will Howard.
In his four seasons at Ohio State, Sawyer recorded 23 sacks, nine of which came in his senior season, helping the Buckeyes win a National Championship. He also had 144 tackles and 11 pass deflections over his career.
Sawyer slots in as a special teamer who can bring some run defense upside to the Steelers’ edge rusher group. Against teams where they have heavier personnel, Sawyer can be an outside linebacker with that potential.
Head coach Mike Tomlin, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, and general manager Omar Khan were at Ohio State’s pro day to talk to Sawyer and get to know him. Now, he is a Steeler and should help out a defensive line that will need it.
