Pittsburgh Steelers: Top NFL Draft pick of all time in each round

The Pittsburgh Steelers are rich in NFL Draft picks throughout their history, but which players proved to be the best from each round?

The following are the previous drafts in which we have had 10 or more picks:

1994. 1995, 1998. 1999 and 2010.  Subjectively speaking, of course, here is a list of notable players selected in the aforementioned drafts:

Jason Gildon, Mark Bruener, Kordell Stewart, Brenden Stai, Alan Faneca, Hines Ward, Deshea Townsend, Joey Porter, Aaron Smith, Maurkice Pouncey, Jason Worilds, Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown.

So, let’s recap…According to me, we have drafted 13 noteworthy players in the previous five drafts in which we have had 10 picks or more (than 10 picks).  If you’re keeping score at home, the percentage of players that have contributed to the cause in some fashion translates to roughly a 25% clip.  In other words, we have “hit” on 13 of 50 players, approximately, in the previous drafts in which we have significant draft capital.

What does this mean for our chances to land quality players in the 2019 draft, since we have, by all accounts, some draft capital at our disposal? I think that remains to be seen. Could we use some of that draft capital to move up in the first round in order to take an inside LB, for example? Sure, no question.  Do we stay at number 20 in the first round and hope a quality cornerback falls to us? Sure, no question. Do we trade back in the first round in order to accumulate more picks?  Sure, no question; however, for purposes of this discussion, we are going to assume there will be no attempt to trade up, to trade back or to trade in any other direction.  We are going to stand pat and draft ten players.

As the title of this article intimates, let’s delve into the best drafts picks from rounds one through ten in the last fifty drafts (1969-2018). Before we commence with our purporting, let’s level set this analysis: It is subjective; therefore, it is, intrinsically, open to debate and rebuke, which is expected and encouraged.  With that said, here we go:  The top ten draft picks in rounds one through ten in Steelers history are:

Round 1

Franco Harris:

Before anyone blows a gasket, hear me out.  While there have been several players chosen in the first round who have been an integral part of the success of the franchise, Franco really put us over the top in terms of winning four Superbowls in six years.  I would also argue that had Franco been able to play in the 1976 AFC Championship game, we probably would have won the Super Bowl that year as well. Keep in mind that the Steelers of the 1970s were a run-first team. We had a dominant defense, to be sure; however, the spark that ignited the offense was the power run game and Franco was the spark. Although we had some pieces in place prior to Franco being drafted, namely, Mean Joe, Terry Mel and Jack Ham, we didn’t win a Super Bowl before Franco.

Round 2

Jack Ham:

Again, hear me out.  It’s easy to place Jack Lambert in this slot and no one would argue that he would not be worthy of the selection, but Jack Ham, in my opinion, was the quintessential linebacker of his time; he was stellar both against the run and in coverage.  Lambert was the thumper in the middle; Ham was the cover LB who rarely came off the field.  In the Steelers “Nickel” package of that era, Lambert would often be substituted for by Loren Toews.  Ham was the type of LB who could have played in any era; Lambert was as well, which is the reason this selection was a difficult one.

Round 3

Mel Blount:

This choice was a “no brainer”, for me, anyway. A 6′ 3″ corner who could cover, tackle and get “picks”, what could be better than that? When the NFL has to implement a rule change because of one player’s ability to not only disrupt the route of an opposing receiver but to “lay the wood” whether or not said receiver caught the ball, that’s all I need I know.

Round 4

John Stallworth:

Selected in the legendary Steelers draft of 1974 out of Alabama A &M, Stallworth was the “big body” receiver who perfectly complemented the more diminutive Swanny. He averaged slightly over 16 yards per reception for his 537 grabs, according to Pro Football Reference. 

Round 5

Mike Webster:

By far, my favorite player.  My first Steelers jersey, which I still own, was a Mike Webster home jersey.  It was a Holiday gift my parents bought for me in 1985. Another member of the legendary 1974 draft, Webster was the anchor of the Steelers offensive line, starting 194 of 220 games in which he played, according to Pro Football Reference. He is the standard by which all other Steelers centers are judged, earning nine trips to the Pro Bowl.

Round 6

Antonio Brown:

Although there have been other notable players drafted in the sixth round, e.g. Greg Lloyd, Gary Dunn and Tunch Ilkin, Antonio gets the nod here and rightfully so.  His acrimonious departure from Pittsburgh notwithstanding, Antonio Brown may very well go down in the annals of NFL history as the greatest late-round draft pick of all-time.  ( I realize Tom Brady was also a sixth-round pick, but we are talking about only Steelers drafts). Again, keep in mind, we are discussing the draft as it exists today; to get someone of his talent in the sixth round is downright amazing and, honestly, fortunate.

Round 7

Brett Keisel:

Admittedly, this pick was a bit tough as David Little was also drafted in the seventh round, but when you’re drafted in the last round of the current draft format and you become, not only a fan favorite but a persona outside of football, that’s saying something.  Keisel’s annual  “Shear Da Beard” event to support the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is nothing short of spectacular for the city of Pittsburgh.  Oh, and to amass 30 career sacks as a “DE” (defensive end) for the defenses on which he played, which included James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, is also pretty darn impressive.

Round 8

Darren Perry:

The “old school in me wanted to go with Ernie Holmes here, but Darren Perry was a steal in the eighth round, in my estimation.  He started every game in which he played (110), tallied 32 picks over 7 seasons and made 448 solo tackles; not too shabby.

Round 9 

Rich Erenberg:

Who, you ask? Drafted out of Colgate, Erenberg started nine games. In three seasons, he rushed for 642 yards, while adding an additional 901 yards receiving.  For a ninth-round pick, to have those kinds of stats, that’s really not too shabby.

Round 10

L.C. Greenwood:

Last, but certainly not least, L.C. Greenwood came to the Steelers in the 1969 draft out of Arkansas AM&N, which is now Arkansas-Pine Bluff.  A six-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro and a four-time Super Bowl champ, Greenwood was, in my opinion, underrated in his era, partly because he played on the same “D” line as Mean Joe, but he was as disruptive a force as there ever was.  How he is not in the Hall of Fame is beyond me, but, that’s a discussion for another time.

Let’s recap: We have ten picks in the 2019 draft. Assuming we don’t pull off any trades and draft ten players, will those players become the next Franco, Brett Keisel, Antonio or any of the above-mentioned players or will those players fade into Steelers history as side notes on teams that did not bring home a Lombardi?  I guess time will be the judge of that.