Pittsburgh Steelers: 15 greatest first-round picks of all-time

Steelers 1972 first-round pick: RB Franco Harris

If you put together a list of great Steelers moments, Franco Harris‘ “Immaculate Reception” against the rival Oakland Raiders in the AFC playoffs is at the top, if not number two. The Steelers all-time leading rusher came to the Steel City in 1972 and took no time to becoming an impactful player for the team.

The No. 13 overall pick in the 1972 NFL Draft, Harris was an in-state college football hero for the Penn State Nittany Lions over in State College . The 1972 NFL Rookie of the Year, Harris began his NFL campaign on a hot note and never slowed down.

The nine-time Pro Bowler also earned himself a First-Team All-Pro selection in 1977. Today, he wears four Super Bowls rings with Terry Bradshaw. He followed his quarterback’s MVP performance in Super Bowl X up with his own MVP the following year.

Harris finished his career in Canton when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. Despite playing a season with the Seattle Seahawks, Harris is known as a Steelers legend and comes back to town from time-to-time.

Ranked No. 12 all-time in rushing yards and No. 10 in rushing touchdowns, it’s clear to see why Harris makes the top-10 as one of the greatest first-round draft picks the Steelers have made to date.