Every first-round pick in Pittsburgh Steelers history

Top picks of the Steelers finally started to show up and play

1951 (Pick 9): Butch Avinger (FB), Alabama

Another failed pick by the black and gold as they used their first-round pick in 1951 on Butch Avinger. He was only with the club for about a year before he went to the Canadian Football League. He then went to the New York Giants where he did finally get significant playing time. His career did fizzle out after his stay in New York.

1952 (Pick 6): Ed Modzelewski (FB), Maryland

Another pick that decided to join the team after the Steelers selected him in the draft. Ed Modzelewski had an average rookie year before he hurt his neck. He was then traded to the Browns where he would enjoy a couple of strong seasons. Pittsburgh got future Hall of Famer Marion Motley in exchange for that trade, but he did not play much.

1953 (Pick 5): Ted Marchibroda (QB), St. Bonaventure Detroit

Pittsburgh decided to draft the local kid with Ted Marchibroda hailing from Franklin, PA. He would be with the team for a year before he had to serve in the military. His career started off slow with the Steelers, but he put up decent numbers during his lone year as the starter. Marchibroda would go on to have a tremendous and long coaching career.

1954 (Pick 7): Johnny Lattner (RB), Notre Dame

Johnny Lattner won the Heisman trophy during his time at Notre Dame. He only played for the Steelers for a season, but he had a tremendous rookie year. He left for the Air Force and suffered a career-ending injury during that time. Lattner is a perfect example of terrible luck during the early days for Pittsburgh as he could have been a star.

1955 (Pick 6): Frank Varrichione (OT), Notre Dame

One of the longest standing draft picks by the Steelers up to this point in history was Frank Varrichione. He was an outstanding offensive lineman and got compensated for that in fairness. He was traded later in his career to the Rams for defensive line help, but Varrichione had a long tenure in the league, with half of his career in Pittsburgh.