The Steelers have signed their first of two fourth-round draft picks from the 2013 NFL Draft, safety Shamarko Thomas. Financial terms of the deal include a four-year deal worth roughly $2.1 million.
Thomas (5-9, 217-pounds), was the 111th overall pick in this year’s draft and played his collegiate ball at Syracuse University. He started 39-of-48 games played at Syracuse, recording 263 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks.
Last season, Thomas was named a consensus All-Big East first-team selection and a third-team All-American by the NFL Draft Report as he started all 13 games and collected a career-high 88 tackles. He was a second-team All-Big East selection in 2011 and earned All-Big East freshman team honors in 2009.
Thomas, aka the player who busted his face during the NFL Combine 40-yard dash, figures to slot in behind veteran safeties Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark and should be a major contributor for the 2013 season and beyond.
