Ed: Goodbye Lewis, Goodbye '08 Draft Class

Thursday, 14 March 2013 16:40

Written by Ed Bouchette

Steelers cornerback Keenan Lewis today signed a five-year contract with his hometown New Orleans Saints, the third starter to leave them since free agency began Tuesday.

The deal is worth $26 million with $11 million guaranteed, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Lewis, a third-round draft pick in 2009 from Oregon State, joined his former high school teammate, Mike Wallace, as a departing free agent.

Wallace signed with the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday and Rashard Mendenhall signed with the Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday.

Another free agent in the Steelers secondary, backup safety Ryan Mundy, is expected to sign later today with the New York Giants.

Lewis was a slow developer after the Steelers drafted him. He moved into the pass defense as a third cornerback in 2011 and then took over as the starting left cornerback last season. He started all 16 games and led the NFL in pass deflections, 28 by his coaches’ count, or 22 more than he had in his first three seasons.

Mundy has been mostly a backup in his four seasons with the Steelers and dropped from No. 3 safety to No. 4 last season.

The loss of Mendenhall and Mundy leaves the Steelers with no players left from their 2008 draft class.

Halfback Beanie Wells, who has already had a physical, will visit the Steelers Friday along with Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Victor Butler.