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10 greatest Steelers draft choices during the Kevin Colbert era

By Ryan Pawloski

The hair of safety Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
The hair of safety Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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Kelvin Beachum #68 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game against the New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Kelvin Beachum #68 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game against the New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Kelvin Beachum, Offensive tackle (2012 NFL Draft: 7th round, pick 248)

Kelvin Beachum was drafted with one of the very last picks in 2012. He was a project tackle coming out of SMU that would need a team to help him unleash his potential. The Steelers were willing to take the time and coach this player and it paid off nicely for both parties.

Beachum would turn into a starter for this team at left tackle and play for one of the best offensive lines in the Roethlisberger era. He was a great get by Kevin Colbert and company, but he was also a marvel of the coaching staff. Both the player and coaches got the best out of this tackle, and he made a great career from there.

It was a rough go as his rawness showed big time during his rookie preseason, but he had time on his side. Beachum grew leaps and bounds over the next season and improved his game. He is a hard worker that studies tape more than most. All those factors played into him becoming a steal in that draft.

This once project at tackle is entering his 11th season in the NFL that has seen him still play well as he gets older. Beachum is now anchoring the right tackle spot for the Arizona Cardinals. He has played for the Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, and Cardinals during that time.

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