With less than three weeks until the start of training camp, the Steelers have signed one of their draft picks and reached contractual agreement with another.

Offensive tackle Tony Hills, a fourth-round pick from Texas, became the first rookie from the Class of 2008 to sign a contract when he inked a three-year deal yesterday that included a signing bonus of $304,500.

Also, the Steelers reached agreement with quarterback Dennis Dixon of Oregon on a three-year contract that includes a $130,000 signing bonus.

Dixon was the Pac-10 Conference's offensive player of the year, even though he missed his final three college games with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Dixon is expected to be ready for training camp and is expected to be the team's third quarterback behind Ben Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch.

Hills (6-5, 309) was a left tackle with the Longhorns and will serve as the backup to starter Marvel Smith.

The Steelers have five more rookies to sign, including running back Rashard Mendenhall, their No. 1 pick.