Steelers Sign a Couple of Free Agents as Mini-Camp Starts

A couple of players came aboard the Steelers today as they started their first day of their mini-camp. Joining the team was wide receiver Shaun McDonald, punter Dirk Johnson and cornerback Keiwan Ratliff.

In total, the team inked five free agents before they took to the practice field for the first time since last February’s Super Bowl win over the Cardinals.

McDonald is the most interesting of the guys to come aboard. He is a quality wide out that I think could be a good addition to this roster. He was a fourth-round pick by the Rams in 2003 before signing with the Lions in 2007. He led Detroit with 79 catches for 943 yards and six touchdowns that season and had 35 catches and one touchdown last season. He could be that veteran WR that the team has been looking for.

Ratliff could add some depth to the secondary. He was a second-round pick by the Bengals in 2004 before spending part of the 2007 and 2008 seasons with the Colts. Johnson was cut by the Cardinals in December. He averaged 41.8 yards on 40 punts last season, and has also punted for the Saints, Eagles, Bears and Cardinals since 2002.

The team also signed wide receiver Jayson Foster, who spent time on their practice squad last season. They cut long snapper Jared Retkofsky, who signed after starter Greg Warren injured a knee at midseason last year.