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Top 50 Pittsburgh Steelers of the 2000’s: players 40-31

By Tommy Jaggi

Martavis Bryant #10 of the Pittsburgh Steelers (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Martavis Bryant #10 of the Pittsburgh Steelers (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – FEBRUARY 06: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball against Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Packers won 31-25. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – FEBRUARY 06: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball against Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Packers won 31-25. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

39. Rashard Mendenhall, RB (2008)

Rashard Mendenhall was an athletic freak coming out of Illinois in 2008, there were some who didn’t think he would be available to the Steelers at pick 23.

At 5’10” and 225 pounds, Mendenhall had the ideal build of a feature NFL running back. He also impressed in his athletic testing at the NFL Combine – posting a 4.45s 40-yard dash, a 4.18s 20-yard shuttle, and 26 bench press reps.

Mendenhall was a one-year-wonder in college as a Junior, but posted eye-popping numbers with nearly 1,700 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on 6.4 yards per carry at Illinois.

However, Mendenhall didn’t quite make a smooth transition to the NFL stage. Just four games into his rookie season, Mendenhall fractured his shoulder after hitting Ray Lewis head on, ending his rookie season.

Mendenhall went on to average over 1,000 rushing yards over the next three seasons, but played just 6 games as a 25-year old in his final season with the Steelers.

Rashard Mendenhall played just one more season for the Cardinals in 2013 before hanging up his cleats for good.

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