PITTSBURGH - With more than a month remaining before the start of training camp, the Steelers are making progress on finalizing contract agreements with members of their 2004 Draft class.

The team today announced the signing of the third member of this past April’s draft class.

Defensive end Eric Taylor, the team’s seventh-round and final draft selection from Memphis, was signed to a three-year contract.

Taylor (6-2, 302), a three-year starter for Memphis, came into his own as a senior, earning All-Conference USA honors as a senior. He started 24-of-39 games for the Tigers, recording 150 tackles (89 solos) with six sacks, 21 stops for losses, five quarterback pressures, two fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown and 12 pass deflections. As a senior, he registered 82 tackles (47 solo), recorded four sacks, 10 tackles for losses, one interception, eight pass deflections and two quarterback hurries. He also recovered two fumbles and forced another fumble.