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

Steelers 1974 first-round pick: WR Lynn Swann

It’s impossible to mention first-round superstars in the NFL without mentioning Lynn Swann. The USC Trojan was born to succeed, and has seen nothing shy of it throughout his football career. As the 21st pick in the 1974 NFL Draft, Swann came to Pittsburgh as a National Champion and left a Super Bowl legend.

His NFL career took him from a Pro Bowler in just his second season to Canton, Ohio, where he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. During his nine-year career, Swann was a two-time Pro Bowler, 1981 NFL Man of the Year, four-time Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl X MVP.

It was more than just his famous catch against the Dallas Cowboys that embarked him in Pittsburgh history. Everything he did throughout his nine years on the field were loved by the Steelers and their fans.

Today, Swann returns to USC where he is the athletic director for his alma mater. He’s embarked on a political career and partial ownership to some teams in the Pittsburgh area, but nothing will ever out-do his contributions to this city on the field.

In Pittsburgh, Swann will forever be a household name and Steel City legend.