Which current Steelers are potential Hall of Famers?
By Tommy Jaggi
![PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 14: David DeCastro PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 14: David DeCastro](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fstillcurtain-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F02-2F904959610-divisional-round-jacksonville-jaguars-v-pittsburgh-steelers-jpg-850x560-09e66a2ce2fd9e46a1e8e1b5c74fe09f7219620b5d28bbf510d97d6cddc2651a.jpg)
Pittsburgh has made some great draft choices over the years. Here are the current Steelers who have a chance too see their name in Canton one day.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the richest and deepest histories in all of football. When it comes to talking about some of the all-time greats, they have names to proudly boast.
The 1970’s was riddled with Hall of Fame inductions, and there have been several in between. Troy Polamalu will be among some of the greats who will soon hear his name called to Canton. There are other great Steelers who are currently on the roster who will have a chance to join him.
Here is a breakdown of which current Steelers will make the Hall of Fame, and which ones have a legitimate chance:
Hall of Fame locks
Ben Roethlisberger
If there was any doubt before, we can finally put that to rest. Big Ben is the most established passer in Steelers history by a wide margin. Though some people will still debate that Terry Bradshaw was better, Ben Roethlisberger has crushed every passing record in Pittsburgh, and has never had a season with a losing record in his career.
With two Super Bowl wins and 15 years of good production under his belt, Ben is a virtual lock for the Hall of Fame. His new contract that will keep him in Pittsburgh for the rest of his career is just icing on the cake.
On pace to get in
David DeCastro
David DeCastro is a 2-time first team All-Pro player who has been to 4 consecutive Pro Bowls. Still with a handful of good years left in the tank, DeCastro should continue to build on his resume.
Alan Faneca was quite possibly the best offensive lineman the Steelers have seen in their great history, but DeCastro could make a case to be a close second. He should be able to hear his name called to the Hall of Fame if he continues at this pace.
Maurkice Pouncey
Though Pouncey has always been considered one of the better centers in the league, he’s not technically considered a dominant player or a cut above the rest at his position like DeCastro. However, there is a very good case to be made for the former 1st round pick.
Pouncey has made it to 7 Pro Bowls in 8 years, and is a 2-time All-Pro in his own right. He will make a strong push for the Hall of Fame, and he has the resume to back it up.
Too early to tell
T.J. Watt
It’s impossible to predict whether or not a player will make the Hall of Fame based off just two seasons of NFL production. That’s why I lumped T.J. Watt in this category.
The 24-year old pass rusher has 20.0 sacks in his first two NFL seasons, and is one of two young players who have a reasonable chance to make it some day if they keep up the pace.
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Again, don’t read too much into this, but JuJu has been fantastic statistically over his first two NFL seasons. The former 2nd round draft choice has over 2,300 receiving yards in his first two seasons, and impressed with a 1,400 yard showing in 2018.
Still at just 22-years old, the emerging star has a chance to have a long productive career. Though it will be extremely difficult to produce the same type of stats we were used to seeing with Antonio Brown, JuJu is off to a much quicker start in his NFL career.
Next. Roster breakdown: Analyzing Steelers cornerbacks in 2019. dark
The Steelers have made some great picks over the years, and they are certainly starting to pay off. Every team goes through stretches where they don’t have a Hall of Fame-worthy player on their roster. It’s good to know that the Steelers have several.