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5 best Pittsburgh Steelers draft picks of the Kevin Colbert era

By Eric Hassel

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 11: Strong safety Troy Polamalu No. 43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 11, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 11: Strong safety Troy Polamalu No. 43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on September 11, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 30: Brett Keisel #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs onto the field prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Heinz Field on November 30, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 30: Brett Keisel #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs onto the field prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Heinz Field on November 30, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

The Steelers draft a seven-round ‘fan-favorite’ and a first-round OLB who has already wowed

The Steelers spent a seventh-round pick in the 2002 draft to select Brett Keisel, a defensive end out of BYU (Brigham Young University).  Over his thirteen-year career, Keisel would become a one-time Pro Bowler, a two-time Super Bowl champ and a ‘fan-favorite’.  Of the 156 games in which he played, Keisel started 114 of them.

Keisel, who notched 30 sacks and 2 INTs in his Steelers career, was a ‘rock solid’ defensive end for us.  During his tenure, the primary defensive alignment was our base 3-4.  In order for a base 3-4 to operate effectively, the DT has to be able to command a double-team and the DEs have to be able to set the edge.

Keisel was not only able to set the edge, but he became an invaluable member of two Super Bowl championship teams. For a seventh-round pick to develop into a starter and an integral piece of the Steelers defense for thirteen years is nothing short of amazing.  What a great pick by Colbert and company.

Next up is T.J. Watt, the Steelers 2017 first-round pick out of Wisconsin. Over his first three seasons, Watt has been incredibly productive, tallying 34.5 sacks, defending 18 passes and nabbing 3 INTs. Watt has also been named to the Pro Bowl twice and has been named All-Pro once.  I’m sure there will be more accolades for years to come.

Now, some of you may be thinking that, as a first-round pick, Watt’s productivity is to be expected. To that, I would retort with this:  Productivity is expected from every first-round pick, but the fact that, if Watt stays healthy and maintains the level of productivity, he may very well become the Steelers all-time sack leader is nothing short of spectacular. Watt will also most likely make multiple Pro Bowl trips and will most like be named All-Pro several times over his career.

Let’s now take a look at the best draft pick of the Kevin Colbert era.

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