15 all-time greatest draft picks in Pittsburgh Steelers history
By Tommy Jaggi
4. DL Joe Greene
Like L.C. Greenwood, Joe Greene was drafted just before the merger in 1970, but it’s impossible not to include him on this list. “Mean” Joe was considered an elite prospect coming out of North Texas, and the Steelers spent the 4th overall pick in the 1969 NFL Draft to acquire him.
After Greene’s arrival in Pittsburgh, it didn’t take long for the entire culture of the Steelers to shift gears. A team that was once a bottom-dweller now became quite competitive and the defense took a massive leap forward.
Greene was dominant from the gate — earning 9.5 sacks and Pro Bowl honors in his rookie season. However, by his third year in the league, the Steelers had the most successful season in their history dating all the way back to 1933.
Greene was an absolute menace along the defensive line. He earned 10 Pro Bowls and 4 First-Team All-Pro selections while snagging the Defensive Player of the Year award twice in his career. The only reason he’s fourth on this list is that he was drafted so high.