Every first-round pick in Pittsburgh Steelers history

Trades and giving up on draft picks end up biting the Steelers

1956 (Pick 1): Gary Glick (DB), Colorado State

Somehow the Steelers got lucky and won a lottery, which the NFL created into a spectacle. They decided on taking Gary Glick first overall despite not knowing much about the player. Glick had an alright career, but nothing really to write home about. He remains the only defensive back to ever be selected number one overall in the NFL draft.

1956 (Pick 5): Art Davis (RB), Mississippi State

Another draft pick by Pittsburgh that could not shake the injury bug was Art Davis. He was seen as an explosive player coming out of college. He would only play a couple of games in the professional ranks as a shoulder injury delayed his start. His career's unraveling started with a knee injury that quickly progressed into a career ending issue.

1957 (Pick 5): Len Dawson (QB), Purdue

Len Dawson would turn out to be a future Hall of Fame player, but his success would not come with the Steelers. The club still stunk, and they desperately wanted to try and find a quick fix so after taking Dawson in 1957 they added Bobby Lane just a year later. Who knows what would have happened if Dawson stayed in Pittsburgh, maybe it would have been terrible, but maybe it would have been great.

1958: No pick, traded to 49ers. Received Earl Morrall, Mike Sandusky. Traded away Marv Matuszak 1958 first, 1959 first.

Giving up two first round picks to add a couple of players is a bold choice, and one that better work out in your favor. Overall, it did not turn out to be the worst move by Pittsburgh as Earl Morrall was able to positively impact the club and help them get to an even record. Sandusky was a nice addition to the offensive line.

1959: No pick, traded to 49ers

It is always hard to see your first round pick sitting there with another team, especially when the top guy you traded for you lose sight of. Morrall would only last a year with the Steelers before they promptly dealt him away in a deal that brought Bobby Layne aboard. Probably would have been better off keeping those two first rounders if you were just going to get Layne anyways.