The Pittsburgh Steelers have a rich history riddled with regular-season success, postseason dominance, and legendary head coaches. Since the NFL merger, they have a brilliant track record that includes six Super Bowl wins.
None of this would have been possible without the tremendous players on the roster throughout the years. Pittsburgh has produced Hall of Fame talent as well as nearly any team in the league, and many who fell short of earning a bust in Canton, Ohio, were Steelers legends in their own right.
While certain positions are generally more valuable than others, the Steelers have had numerous players who were considered the best in the league at their respective positions, and their impact on the team was unmatched. When looking at historical rankings, it's important to recognize the greatest players in Steelers franchise history, regardless of position.
Because Pittsburgh's history is littered with talented players, numerous contributors who earned Pro Bowl recognition fell short of cracking the list of the top 50 players in Steelers franchise history.
Criteria for ranking
Ranking players of the same position is hard enough, but the challenge becomes even more daunting when comparing players cross-positionally and cross-generationally. A collection of criteria was used to build these rankings.
Positional value was not taken into account. This means that quarterbacks, for example, didn't receive a boost in the rankings due to their universal value of playing the game's most important position. Leadership qualities and intangibles were considered in the rankings, as well as a player's impact on the team.
The longevity of each player's career in Pittsburgh was taken into account; however, each player's dominance at their peak held even more weight in these historical rankings. I also considered each player's personal accolades, such as Pro Bowl recognition, All-Pro honors, and prestigious league awards like Most Valuable Player or Defensive Player of the Year.
The legacy each player left was also factored into these rankings. The most dominant players in Steelers history routinely made a monumental impact on the team. This was sometimes accompanied by playoff success and even Super Bowl wins.
Nos. 50-41: underrated and underappreciated Steelers gems
50. Ike Taylor
- Position: Cornerback
- Years Active: 2003-14
- Key Achievements: 140 starts, 2 Super Bowl wins
Don't let Ike Taylor's lack of Pro Bowl recognition and career accolades detract from his accomplishments with the team. The 2023 fourth-round pick out of Louisiana climbed the depth chart to become a full-time starting cornerback for the Steelers by his third NFL season.
With just 14 interceptions in 12 years, Taylor wasn't a ballhawk, but he made up for his lack of hands with impressive physicality to reroute wide receivers and the speed to mirror them all over the field. Eventually, the 6'2'' cornerback earned a reputation as the shutdown CB on one of the most impressive defenses of the 2000s.
Taylor was the team's best cornerback during Pittsburgh's Super Bowl runs from 2005 to 2010. He could brush off a bad play like it never happened and make a game-saving pass deflection on the next series. By the end of his Steelers career, Taylor had racked up 134 career passes defensed to go with 518 solo tackles.
49. Willie Parker
- Position: Running back
- Years Active: 2004-09
- Key Achievements: 2 Pro Bowls, 2 Super Bowl wins
They didn't call him 'Fast' Willie Parker for nothing. The undrafted free-agent running back had a set of wheels that few running backs in the league possessed. This helped him break free for explosive plays with just a little crease.
In his second NFL season, Parker busted off an 80-yard touchdown run while chewing up 4.7 yards per carry en route to a 1,200-yard rushing season. The speedster was considered one of the best backs in the NFL in 2006 after racking up 1,494 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns on 4.4 yards per attempt.
Following three years of significant workload, Parker's efficiency dipped, and he played his last snaps in the NFL at 29 years old in 2009. Despite just six years in the NFL (70 total games), Parker didn't hang up his cleats before earning a pair of Pro Bowls. He was Pittsburgh's lead rusher for both Super Bowl victories in the 2000s.
48. Rocky Bleier
- Position: Running back
- Years Active: 1968, 1970-80
- Key Achievements: 4 Super Bowl wins
Rocky Bleier has one of the greatest success stories you will ever find from a professional athlete. Odds were already stacked against him as a 16th-round pick in the 1968 NFL Draft. After his rookie season, he served in the armed forces, where he was shot through the thigh and suffered a grenade blast to his right foot.
Miraculously, this didn't end his life or his football journey. Bleier had to work remarkably hard to get back on the football field after his injuries, and he saw just four carries over the next four years after returning from his deployment.
In 1974 -- just in time for Pittsburgh's Super Bowl run -- Bleier carved out a role in the backfield alongside Franco Harris. His best season came in 1976 when he rushed for 1,036 yards and five touchdowns on 4.7 yards per carry. The inspiring running back played for the Steelers until age 34 and helped his team earn its first four Lombardi Trophies.
47. LaMarr Woodley
- Position: Outside linebacker, edge rusher
- Years Active: 2007-13
- Key Achievements: 1 Pro Bowl, Super Bowl win
LaMarr Woodley's presence on the field was often overshadowed by James Harrison. Both edge rushers had their best seasons from 2008 to 2010, but Harrison was the All-Pro player and 2008 Defensive Player of the Year. That didn't mean that Woodley wasn't important.
After being selected by the Steelers in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft, Woodley sat behind Clark Haggans as a rookie before earning the starting job in Year 2. From 2008 to 2011, Woodley averaged 11.0 sacks per season. He received Pro Bowl honors and was voted second-team All-Pro after a 13.5-sack season in 2009.
At 6'2'' and 266 pounds, Woodley played with excellent leverage and outstanding power that helped him win routinely in pass-rush situations. Unfortunately, staying healthy was an issue. Woodley played only two full seasons and missed time with injuries in seven of nine years. He played his final snaps in Pittsburgh at 29 years old before brief stints with the Raiders and Cardinals to close his NFL career.
46. Brett Keisel
- Position: 3-4 defensive end, interior defensive line
- Years Active: 2002-14
- Key Achievements: 1 Pro Bowl, 2 Super Bowl wins
Since he was a seventh-round selection in the 2002 NFL Draft, nobody expected much from Brett Keisel. The BYU product nearly fell out of the draft and turned 24 years old at the start of his rookie season. Expectations dropped even lower when he missed his entire second season with a shoulder injury.
Keisel didn't make his first NFL start until age 28 in 2006, but he instantly became a pivotal piece of Pittsburgh's defense. Playing a significant number of snaps in an odd three-man front, Keisel used his 6'5'' frame and long arms to two-gap and control offensive linemen at the line of scrimmage.
While his assignment led to underwhelming statistical production (just 30.0 sacks in 13 seasons), Keisel played a pivotal role in run defense and was an integral part of one of the league's best defenses in the 2000s. Keisel eventually earned his lone Pro Bowl at age 32 in 2010. He started 114 of 156 games with the Steelers and earned two Super Bowl rings.
45. Santonio Holmes
- Position: Wide receiver
- Years Active: 2006-09
- Key Achievements: Super Bowl MVP
As a first-round draft choice by the Steelers in 2006, Santonio Holmes' stats are nothing to write home about. He recorded just one 1,000-yard season in his NFL career despite being the 25th overall pick, and he caught just 55.6 percent of passes thrown in his direction during his time in Pittsburgh.
However, Holmes had one of the most impressive series of plays in the Super Bowl you will ever see from a wide receiver. Needing to score a touchdown against the Cardinals late in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLIII, Holmes caught one pass after the next and eventually helped his team secure the Super Bowl win in miraculous fashion with a toe-tapping touchdown in the corner of the endzone.
This incredible performance on the game's biggest stage earned him the title of Super Bowl MVP. Holmes played just four seasons in Pittsburgh, but he owns some of the most important and memorable moments in franchise history.
44. Lawrence Timmons
- Position: Linebacker
- Years Active: 2007-16
- Key Achievements: 1 Pro Bowl, Super Bowl win
Lawrence Timmons was a first-round pick, but he still managed to be one of the most underrated players in Steelers history. The 15th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft was an undersized defensive end at Florida State who was asked to make the transition to inside linebacker for Pittsburgh.
Despite his draft status, Timmons started just two games in his first two seasons but became a full-time starter in his third season in 2009. Working alongside James Farrior, he quickly became part of one of the best linebacker tandems in the league.
Timmons was intelligent and productive with a great feel for the game. This led to 983 tackles, 66 tackles for loss, 35.5 sacks, and 12 interceptions during his 10-year career in Pittsburgh. Timmons earned second-team All-Pro recognition and Pro Bowl honors in 2014.
43. Heath Miller
- Position: Tight end
- Years Active: 2005-15
- Key Achievements: 167 starts, 2 Pro Bowls
Heath Miller was a long-time fan favorite in Pittsburgh. The well-rounded tight end acted as a security blanket for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger across the middle of the field, and the crowd would erupt every time he touched the ball.
Though plenty of tight ends around the league were more dynamic athletes, Miller possessed a terrific blend of size, power, and receiving ability. His soft hands and ability to reel in the football with traffic around made him one of the most reliable options in the passing game for a decade while also being an imposing run-blocker.
The 2005 first-round pick never put up gaudy numbers at the position, nor did he complain about not getting enough targets. In 11 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miller racked up 6,569 receiving yards and 45 touchdowns while averaging an impressive 8.0 yards per target over his career. He recorded two Pro Bowls and was an important piece in both Steelers Super Bowl wins of the 2000s.
42. Dwight White
- Position: Defensive end, edge rusher
- Years Active: 1971-80
- Key Achievements: 2 Pro Bowls, 4 Super Bowl wins
Despite being a fourth-round pick in 1971, Dwight White wasted no time making his presence felt. The 6'4'', 255-pound defensive end started all 14 games as a rookie and raised the performance of the defense.
Over his next two seasons, White earned Pro Bowl honors after displaying an impressive blend of quickness and power at the position. His early NFL success was pivotal in reshaping the Steelers defense, and he played an important role in the Steel Curtain dynasty that would follow.
White remained a quality starter through all four Super Bowl victories in the 1970s, though his best play came early in his career. He played all 10 NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. White and L.C. Greenwood made up one of the most impressive and consistent defensive end pairings in the league for a decade.
41. Tunch Ilkin
- Position: Offensive tackle
- Years Active: 1980-92
- Key Achievements: 143 starts, 2 Pro Bowls
Tunch Ilkin turned out to be a better selection than the Steelers could have ever imagined. After the team threw a dart on the sixth-round pick out of Indiana State, he did every job it asked him to do. The versatile offensive lineman began his career as a guard in 1980 before serving as Pittsburgh's wing tackle in '81 and '82.
In his fourth season in 1983, Ilkin earned the coaching staff's trust and became the starting right tackle. This is where he would line up for the next 10 years as Ilkin proved a reliable offensive tackle. He reached Pro Bowl status in 1988 and earned his second Pro Bowl the following year.
Ilkin wasn't considered a star player at his position, but he was a stable piece for a decade in Pittsburgh. He started 143 games in 13 seasons with the Steelers before suiting up for just one game with the Green Bay Packers at 36 years old in 1993 to finish his career.
Nos. 40-31: reliable Steelers with huge impacts
40. Louis Lipps
- Position: Wide receiver
- Years Active: 1984-91
- Key Achievements: Offensive Rookie of the Year, 2 Second-Team All-Pros
Louis Lipps was an instant sensation for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Over 14 games (eight starts) in 1984, the first-round pick compiled 860 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns from scrimmage. This led to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and his first Pro Bowl appearance.
Year 2 proved to be the biggest of Lipps' career. The impressive wide receiver raked in 1,134 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns en route to his second Pro Bowl. These performances at the start of his career earned him second-team All-Pro honors in each of his first two seasons.
Lipps never went on to have another 1,000-yard receiving season, but he came dangerously close in 1988 (973 receiving yards) and 1999 (944 receiving yards). Despite suspect quarterback play, he recorded over 6,000 receiving yards in eight seasons with the Steelers.
39. Jon Kolb
- Position: Offensive tackle
- Years Active: 1969-81
- Key Achievements: 138 starts, 4 Super Bowl wins
Thanks to his longevity and consistency on the offensive line, Jon Kolb is considered by many to be the best offensive tackle in Pittsburgh Steelers history. The third-round pick in the 1969 NFL Draft began his Steelers career as a backup center before transitioning to become the team's starting left tackle in 1971. From there, he never looked back.
Kolb started 138 games at left tackle for the Steelers over the next 11 seasons and was the long-time blind-side protector for quarterback Terry Bradshaw. His ability as a run-blocker and pass-protector played a key role in Pittsburgh's offense.
The long-time offensive tackle never earned Pro Bowl honors, but his four Super Bowl rings more than made up for the lack of personalized hardware on his trophy shelf.
38. Aaron Smith
- Position: 3-4 defensive end, interior defensive line
- Years Active: 1999-2011
- Key Achievements: 152 starts, 1 Pro Bowl, 2 Super Bowl wins
Aaron Smith was one of the most underrated players I've ever seen wear black and gold. Since the 1999 fourth-round pick put on a Steelers uniform, he proved his selflessness as the ultimate team player.
Smith used his 6'5'', 300-pound frame to keep offensive linemen at bay, and he ate double-team blocks for breakfast. His ability to control the point of attack and swallow up offensive linemen often allowed Pittsburgh's linebackers to make the play behind the line of scrimmage untouched.
As a base 3-4 defensive end, Smith never put up elite numbers, but he did record a pair of eight-sacks seasons -- one of which was accompanied by Pro Bowl honors in 2004. Smith was an essential piece of Pittsburgh's defense and played a huge role during the Steelers' Super Bowl-winning seasons in 2005 and 2008.
37. Levon Kirkland
- Position: Inside linebacker
- Years Active: 1992-2000
- Key Achievements: 155 starts, 2 Pro Bowls, 1 First-Team All-Pro
In an era rich with talented NFL linebackers, Levon Kirkland earned league-wide recognition. The 38th overall pick in the 1992 NFL Draft recorded his first of seven 100-tackle seasons in Year 2 and was quickly noticed throughout the league.
At 6'1'' and 270 pounds, Kirkland had a rare build for an inside linebacker. While he was expectedly limited in pass coverage, his stopping power against the run and downhill ability was unmatched.
Kirkland's dominance inside the tackle box resulted in back-to-back Pro Bowl honors in 1996 and 1997. The imposing linebacker also earned first-team All-Pro honors in 1997, and he finished in the top six in Defensive Player of the Year voting twice. Remarkably, Kirkland never missed a game in his 11-year NFL career, which included nine seasons in Pittsburgh.
36. Le'Veon Bell
- Position: Running back
- Years Active: 2013-17
- Key Achievements: 2 First-Team All-Pros, 3 Pro Bowls
Le'Veon Bell's lack of longevity with the organization prevents him from ranking higher on this list. After a concerning rookie season in which the second-round pick plodded for just 3.5 yards per carry, he cut weight and transformed his body in Year 2.
Thanks to his impressive patience and quickness as a runner and outstanding receiving ability, Bell quickly established himself as one of the league's best backs -- earning his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in 2014.
The following year, Bell played in just six games before missing the remainder of the season with a knee injury. However, he regained his Pro Bowl status in 2016 and 2017. Unfortunately, the talented running back had a falling out with the organization and sat out the entire 2018 season with a contract dispute before signing with the Jets during free agency in 2019.
35. Jason Gildon
- Position: Outside linebacker, edge rusher
- Years Active: 1994-2003
- Key Achievements: 3 Pro Bowls, 1 First-Team All-Pro
As a third-round pick in the 1994 NFL Draft, Jason Gildon wasn't handed a starting spot in Pittsburgh's defense; he had to earn his keep. By his third season, he had become the team's starting left outside linebacker, and then he earned seven sacks in 14 games.
Gildon had an impressive stretch in the middle of his NFL career, which included 54.0 sacks over five seasons from 1998 to 2002. This was accompanied by three Pro Bowls and one first-team All-Pro selection in 2001.
At 6'4'' and 255 pounds, Gildon possessed a terrific blend of size, strength, and athletic traits. He started 126 games for Pittsburgh before playing one season in Jacksonville to finish his NFL career in 2004.
34. Kevin Greene
- Position: Outside linebacker, edge rusher
- Years Active: 1993-95
- Key Achievements: 2 Pro Bowls, 1 First-Team All-Pro
While many fans would argue that Kevin Greene deserves to be much higher on this list, the Hall of Fame edge rusher played just three of his 15 NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Admittedly, the three-year stretch was dominant, as Greene recorded 35.5 sacks with two Pro Bowls and one first-team All-Pro nod.
Green helped Pittsburgh's defense take the next step, as he and Greg Lloyd were the most imposing pass-rush tandem in the league during this stretch.
Greene started all 48 games over his three seasons with the Steelers. He left the team in free agency during the 1996 offseason at age 34, but his work in his final four NFL seasons with the Panthers and 49ers proved he still had plenty of gas left in the tank.
33. Carnell Lake
- Position: Safety, defensive back
- Years Active: 1989-98
- Key Achievements: 4 Pro Bowls, 1 First-Team All-Pro
Carnell Lake made an effortless transition from college football at UCLA to the NFL stage. A second-round pick in 1989, he started 15 games as a rookie while recording 70 tackles, six fumble recoveries, and an interception.
Though he was already considered one of Pittsburgh's best defenders over his first five seasons with the team, Lake took his game to the next level in 1994 when he improved his consistency from the strong safety spot.
Lake made four consecutive Pro Bowls with the Steelers from 1994 to 1997. At 30 years old in '94, he was voted a first-team All-Pro while finishing fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting and seventh in MVP voting. He played his 10th and final season in Pittsburgh in 1998 before spending time with the Jaguars and Ravens over his final three NFL campaigns.
32. Joey Porter
- Position: Outside linebacker, edge rusher
- Years Active: 1996-2006
- Key Achievements: 3 Pro Bowls, First-Team All-Pro, Super Bowl win
It's impossible to think of Joey Porter without recalling his ability to trash-talk and intimidate opponents like nobody else. Porter put his money where his mouth was. In his second season in 2002, he recorded 60 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, an interception, and a defensive touchdown.
Though Porter didn't see another 10-sack season until 2005, his ability to dominate all over the field helped him earn Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors in 2002 -- a season in which he racked up 89 tackles, 9.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and four interceptions.
The Pro Bowl outside linebacker left for Miami during the 2007 free-agency period, but not before helping the Steelers win Super Bowl XL against the Seattle Seahawks. He was one of the biggest stars on Pittsburgh's roster in the 2000s.
31. Maurkice Pouncey
- Position: Center
- Years Active: 2010-20
- Key Achievements: 9 Pro Bowls, 2010s All-Decade Team
Maurkice Pouncey possessed practically every personal accolade an offensive lineman could dream of. The 2010 first-round pick made the Pro Bowl every year but one in the NFL, and that was because he played in just one game before missing the rest of the season with an injury.
Pouncey was Ben Roethlisberger's starting center for 10 NFL seasons. His best play came early in his career. The gifted center earned second-team All-Pro honors as a rookie before being named a first-team All-Pro in year two.
Late in his career, Pouncey was earning Pro Bowls based on name recognition alone, and his play wasn't what it once was. Thanks to his impressive resume with the Steelers, though, he earned a place on the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-Decade Team for the 2010s.
Nos. 30-21: Steelers All-Pros and team leaders
30. Casey Hampton
- Position: Nose tackle
- Years Active: 2001-12
- Key Achievements: 5 Pro Bowls, 2 Super Bowl wins
Taking a run-stuffing nose tackle in the first round is uncommon these days, but Casey Hampton was worth every penny. Hampton was listed at 6'1'' and 325 pounds entering the NFL, but there's no question he played with more mass on his frame throughout his NFL career.
Hampton was never an elite pass rusher from the interior, but he executed his job as well as any nose tackle in the league. The Texas product was the anchor of Pittsburgh's defensive line who played with outstanding leverage and strength.
Hampton's ability to take on double-team blocks and free up teammates proved to be the engine that helped the defense run. He played 12 seasons in Pittsburgh, starting 164 of 173 games and earning five Pro Bowls.
29. Andy Russell
- Position: Linebacker
- Years Active: 1963, 1966-76
- Key Achievements: 162 starts, 7 Pro Bowls
The only Steelers success story that tops Andy Russell's in Rocky Bleier's. The two players had similar paths to the NFL. They were each selected in the 16th round of the draft and were deployed on military duty after their first seasons in Pittsburgh.
After serving as an Army lieutenant in Germany in 1964 and 1965, Russell returned to the Steelers in 1966 and picked up where he left off as a starting linebacker. Despite his time lost on the football field due to his military service, he still had a remarkably long NFL career that began in 1963 and ended after the 1976 season.
During that time, Russell started 162 games at linebacker for the Steelers while being named to the Pro Bowl seven times. The impressive linebacker also played a key role in the first two Super Bowl wins in Pittsburgh history.
28. David DeCastro
- Position: Offensive guard
- Years Active: 2012-20
- Key Achievements: 6 Pro Bowls, 2 First-Team All-Pros
While Maurkice Pouncey earned three more Pro Bowls than David DeCastro over the course of their careers, DeCastro was the better player at his peak. When the Stanford product fell into Pittsburgh's lap with the 24th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Steelers couldn't say no.
Most of DeCastro's rookie season was claimed by injuries, but he became an impact player for Pittsburgh in his second season in 2013. By 2015, he had earned his first of six straight Pro Bowl honors.
At 6'5'' and 316 pounds, DeCastro was a physically imposing guard with outstanding anchoring ability as a pass protector and a bullying demeanor as a run blocker. He earned two first-team All-Pro honors with the Steelers. Unfortunately, nagging injuries and a third ankle surgery shortened his career.
DeCastro played his final NFL season at age 30 and was forced to retire when it looked like there was a lot more left in the tank.
27. James Farrior
- Position: Inside linebacker
- Years Active: 2002-11
- Key Achievements: 2 Pro Bowls, 1 First-Team All-Pro, 2 Super Bowl wins
James Farrior proved one the best free-agent signings in franchise history. The eighth overall pick of the 1997 NFL Draft by the New York Jets was coming off the best season of his career to date in 2001 before signing with Pittsburgh.
Though Farrior didn't start his Steelers career until he was 27 years old in 2002, he remained in Pittsburgh for a decade. He earned the trust of his teammates as a long-time team captain and defensive signal-caller.
Farrior played a pivotal role in Pittsburgh's Super Bowl runs of the 2000s. In 2004, he earned first-team All-Pro honors and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He started all 154 games he played in a Steelers uniform while recording 740 tackles, 82 tackles for loss, 30.0 sacks, and eight interceptions.
26. Minkah Fitzpatrick
- Position: Safety
- Years Active: 2019-present
- Key Achievements: 4 Pro Bowls, 3 First-Team All-Pros
Minkah Fitzpatrick joined the Steelers via trade early in the 2019 season. The 2018 first-round pick out of Alabama was considered a blue-chip prospect, but his NFL career with the Dolphins was off to a rocky start. That changed immediately when he joined the Steelers.
Fitzpatrick displayed remarkable instincts and ball-hawking abilities. The talented safety recorded five interceptions in his first season with the Steelers. Fitzpatrick's best season came in 2022 when he racked up 96 tackles, 11 pass defenses, six interceptions, and a defensive touchdown in 15 games.
Minkah's ability to take the ball away and come up with big plays in crucial moments of the game make him one of the best safeties of his generation, and he's still writing his own story.
25. Cameron Heyward
- Position: Defensive lineman
- Years Active: 2011-present
- Key Achievements: 6 Pro Bowls, 3 First-Team All-Pros
Cameron Heyward is the definition of reliable. The big defensive lineman has been a starting, cornerstone player on the Pittsburgh Steelers for over a decade and is one of the most consistent players on a game-by-game basis the team has ever had.
Despite being a first-round pick in the historic 2011 NFL Draft, Heyward didn't start his first game until his third season in 2013. Though it took him a while to break out, he eventually earned a reputation as one of the best interior defenders in the league.
Heyward made the Pro Bowl six straight seasons from 2017 to 2022 while earning first-team All-Pro honors three times. Following the 2023 season, he earned the league's biggest off-the-field honor when he was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year.
24. Greg Lloyd
- Position: Outside linebacker, edge rusher
- Years Active: 1988-97
- Key Achievements: 5 Pro Bowls, 3 First-Team All-Pros
At 6'2'' and 228 pounds, Greg Lloyd was a true blend of edge rusher and off-ball linebacker. This made him the perfect fit for Pittsburgh's 3-4 defense. The 1987 sixth-round pick out of Fort Valley State worked his way up the ladder to become one of the best players on the team by his third NFL season.
In 1990, Lloyd recorded 92 tackles, 7.0 sacks, and three interceptions. This was just the tip of the iceberg of what he would accomplish in Pittsburgh. From 1991 to 1995, Lloyd made the Pro Bowl every season and earned first-team All-Pro honors three years in a row from '93 to '95.
The athletic outside linebacker was elite at stripping the ball away, as he recorded 34 forced fumbles -- leading the entire NFL twice in this department. Lloyd finished in the top three in Defensive Player of the Year voting in '94 and '95, and he's arguably the most versatile outside linebacker to ever play for the Steelers.
23. Lynn Swann
- Position: Wide receiver
- Years Active: 1974-82
- Key Achievements: 3 Pro Bowls, 1 First-Team All-Pro, 4 Super Bowl wins, Hall of Fame
Lynn Swann was responsible for some of the biggest plays in Pittsburgh Steelers history. Despite only making first-team All-Pro once, Swann was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the class of 2001 because of what he did in the playoffs and the Super Bowls of the 1970s.
Swann, Pittsburgh's first-round pick in the historic 1974 draft class, was outproduced by fellow rookie John Stallworth in their first season on the team. However, he had a remarkable second-year leap, recording 781 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in 1975.
Swann never topped 880 receiving yards in a season but was an integral member of the Steelers who always showed up in the clutch. When it was all said and done, the talented receiver had earned four Super Bowl rings and a bust in Canton, Ohio.
22. Hines Ward
- Position: Wide receiver
- Years Active: 1998-2011
- Key Achievements: 4 Pro Bowls, 3 Second-Team All-Pros, 2 Super Bowl wins
Hines Ward has the most legendary smile in Steelers history. Whether it was catching a pass to put the game on ice or being at the receiving end of a crushing blow, he would always bounce back up with a smile on his face.
From a size and athleticism perspective, there was nothing that set Ward apart from every receiver in the league. However, his physical demeanor and toughness made him the perfect weapon over the middle of the field.
Ward, a third-round pick in 1998, eventually emerged as a perennial 1,000-yard receiver. This was accompanied by four straight Pro Bowls from 2001 to 2004. Ward played 14 years in Pittsburgh and leads every Steelers receiver in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
21. L.C. Greenwood
- Position: Defensive end, edge rusher
- Years Active: 1969-81
- Key Achievements: 6 Pro Bowls, 2 First-Team All-Pros, 4 Super Bowl wins
Of every Steelers player who has fallen short of Hall of Fame honors, you could make the case that L.C. Greenwood is the most deserving of a bust in Canton. From personal accolades to Super Bowl hardware, he has it all.
Though sacks did not become an official stat in the NFL until 1982, Pro Football Reference credited the talented pass rusher with 78.0 sacks in his Steelers career.
Entering the same 1969 draft as the legendary Joe Greene, Greenwood was an afterthought as a 10th-round pick. But by his third season, he had become a staple on Pittsburgh's defensive line. From 1971 to 1981, he started 135 games for the Steelers and helped his team to four Super Bowl wins.
Nos. 20-11: Hall of Famers and those deserving
20. Jerome Bettis
- Position: Running back
- Years Active: 1996-2005
- Key Achievements: 4 Pro Bowls, 1 First-Team All-Pro 1 Super Bowl win, Hall of Fame
Arguments have been made that there are more running backs deserving of the Hall of Fame than Jerome Bettis, but the long-time workhorse back made it in with peak performances and impressive career longevity at the position.
After he'd already established himself as an Offensive Rookie of the Year and All-Pro back with the Rams, the Steelers traded for Bettis during the 1996 offseason. "The Bus" immediately proved his worth with a 1,400-yard, 11-touchdown rushing season that came with more All-Pro honors.
Bettis recorded over 1,000 rushing yards in his first six seasons with the Steelers. Though his 3.9 career yards per carry seem suspect, he was a hammer who wore down defenses and finished in the top five in MVP voting twice.
19. Jack Butler
- Position: Defensive back
- Years Active: 1951-59
- Key Achievements: 4 Pro Bowls, 3 First-Team All-Pros, Hall of Fame
Joining the team in 1951, Jack Butler is one of the earliest Steelers legends. The 6'1'', 200-pound defensive back made a name for himself as a rookie when he recorded five interceptions in 12 games.
Butler raked in 16 combined interceptions in 1952 and 1953. Eventually, he was recognized as one of the best players in professional football. He made four consecutive Pro Bowls from 1955 to 1958 and closed his NFL career with first-team All-Pro honors in three straight seasons.
In nine seasons with the Steelers, Butler started 102 of 104 games and recorded 52 interceptions and four defensive touchdowns. He was named to the All-Decade Team of the 1950s and, decades later, was honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the class of 2012.
18. Donnie Shell
- Position: Safety
- Years Active: 1974-87
- Key Achievements: 5 Pro Bowls, 3 First-Team All-Pros, Hall of Fame
Few defensive backs in NFL history possessed the consistency and longevity of Donnie Shell's career. He was an undrafted free agent following the historic 1974 Steelers draft, but he fit right in with a handful of legends.
Shell didn't become a full-time starter until his fourth season in 1977. From that moment, the Steelers knew they had their long-term strong safety. Shell started on Pittsburgh's defense for more than a decade. His best seasons came in the middle of his career when he earned five straight Pro Bowls and three first-team All-Pro honors in a four-year span.
Though he had to wait until 2020 for his gold jacket, Shell eventually made his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The legendary safety played 201 games for the Steelers, making 162 starts on defense.
17. Dermontti Dawson
- Position: Center
- Years Active: 1988-2000
- Key Achievements: 7 Pro Bowls, 6 First-Team All-Pros, Hall of Fame
No NFL team has produced centers over the years like the Pittsburgh Steelers. Remarkably, this franchise was able to go directly from the great Mike Webster to another Hall of Fame center in Dermontti Dawson.
After playing some right guard and learning from Webster as a rookie in 1988, Dawson took over the starting center job as a second-year player in 1989. Remarkably, he played and started every single game for the Steelers over the next decade before injuries finally forced him to miss time in his final two seasons.
Dawson had one of the most dominant stretches you will ever see from an interior offensive lineman. He earned seven straight Pro Bowls from 1992 to 1998 and collected six straight All-Pro nods from 1993 to 1998. This impressive resume helped him earn Hall of Fame honors with flying colors in the class of 2012.
16. John Stallworth
- Position: Wide receiver
- Years Active: 1974-87
- Key Achievements: 3 Pro Bowls, 1 First-Team All-Pro, Hall of Fame
You won't find many wide receivers in the modern era who will play 14 seasons, all with the team that drafted them. John Stallworth had it all: size (6'2'', 191 pounds), consistency, longevity, and dominant performances.
After back-to-back seasons of over 750 yards in 1977 and 1978, Stallworth exploded for 70 catches, 1,183 yards, and eight touchdowns in 1979. This was met by Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors. Five years later, Stallworth put up the biggest numbers of his career, catching 80 passes for 1,395 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Stallworth held every Steelers receiving record until they were eventually broken by Hines Ward two decades later. He started 144 games with Pittsburgh and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the class of 2002.
15. Antonio Brown
- Position: Wide receiver
- Years Active: 2010-18
- Key Achievements: 7 Pro Bowls, 4 First-Team All-Pros, 2010s All-Decade Team
Antonio Brown had a chance to cement his name among the greatest wide receivers to ever play in the NFL. Unfortunately, he had a major falling out with the team. During the 2019 offseason, Brown forced his way out of Pittsburgh via trade.
Before this, Brown was a remarkable success story. The 2010 sixth-round pick climbed the ladder to become a perennial All-Pro player. The electrifying receiver earned first-team All-Pro honors in four straight years from 2014 to 2017 to go with seven Pro Bowl selections.
Brown's six-year stretch from 2013 to 2018 is one of the most impressive statistical outputs we have ever seen from an NFL wide receiver. The talented wide receiver was named to the 2010s All-Decade Team.
14. James Harrison
- Position: Outside linebacker, edge rusher
- Years Active: 2002-12, 2014-17
- Key Achievements: 5 Pro Bowls, 2 First-Team All-Pros, Defensive Rookie of the Year, 2 Super Bowl wins
James Harrison played in the NFL until he was 39 years old. However, the undrafted free agent out of Kent State got a late start. He bounced around the Steelers' and Ravens' practice squads before sticking with Pittsburgh, and he didn't become a full-time starter until age 29 in 2007.
From there, Harrison asserted his dominance as one of the most physically imposing players in the game. His remarkable strength and leverage as a pass rusher helped him earn five straight Pro Bowls from 2007 to 2011.
Harrison was named the AP Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. The play of his career came in Super Bowl XLIII when he recorded a 100-yard pick-six against the Cardinals. He was as dominant as any Steelers player at his peak.
13. Franco Harris
- Position: Running back
- Years Active: 1972-83
- Key Achievements: 9 Pro Bowls, Offensive Rookie of the Year, 1970s All-Decade Team
Few running backs in the history of the game had a better start to their NFL career than the great Franco Harris. Pittsburgh's first-round pick in 1972 recorded 1,055 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie on an impressive 5.6 yards per attempt.
Harris managed to earn eight 1,000-yard seasons in his first nine years in the NFL while securing Pro Bowl honors in his first nine seasons. His best year came in 1975 when he rushed for 1,246 yards and 10 touchdowns on 4.8 yards per attempt while helping his team to its second Super Bowl win.
Decades later, Harris remains Pittsburgh's all-time leading rusher. He was named to the 1970s All-Decade Team and helped his team earn four Super Bowl wins. He played his last season with the Steelers in 1983 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
12. Terry Bradshaw
- Position: Quarterback
- Years Active: 1970-83
- Key Achievements: 3 Pro Bowls, NFL MVP, 4 Super Bowls, Hall of Fame
Terry Bradshaw was the first overall pick in the 1970 NFL Draft, but he didn't look like a franchise quarterback early in his career. The Louisiana Tech product threw six touchdowns and 24 interceptions as a rookie for a passer rating of 30.4.
By his third season, Bradshaw was ready to turn a new page.
In 1972, he aided his team to an 11-3 record. In 1975, the veteran made his first Pro Bowl at 27 years old. The four-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback had the best season of his career in 1978 when he led the league with 28 touchdown passes and 7.9 yards per attempt en route to being named the NFL's Most Valuable Player.
In 14 seasons with the Steelers, Bradshaw recorded a record of 107-51-0. His MVP and Super Bowl rings paved the way for his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the class of 1989.
11. T.J. Watt
- Position: Edge rusher
- Years Active: 2017-present
- Key Achievements: 6 Pro Bowls, 4 First-Team All-Pros, Defensive Player of the Year
The Pittsburgh Steelers received far more than they could ever have expected when they selected J.J. Watt's little brother in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. T.J. Watt looked like a star during his rookie season, and he began his track as a perennial Pro Bowler in 2018.
Watt has recorded sacks for the Steelers at a historic pace, and in 2021, he tied Michael Strahan for the all-time single-season sack record with 22.5 sacks. This earned the star edge rusher Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Watt has led the NFL in sacks three times in his first seven seasons while finishing in the top three in Defensive Player of the Year voting four times. He already holds the Steelers' all-time sack record, and he should have no issue earning his gold jacket for the Pro Football Hall of Fame at this rate.
Nos. 10-1: NFL legends and all-time greats
10. Alan Faneca
- Position: Offensive guard
- Years Active: 1998-2007
- Key Achievements: 7 Pro Bowls, 6 First-Team All-Pros, 2000s All-Decade Team, 1 Super Bowl win
Alan Faneca was the prototypical NFL guard. At 6'5'' and 316 pounds, the first-round pick out of LSU had every trait a coach could ask for at the guard position. He was a rock-solid guard early in his career, and by his fourth season, he had earned a reputation as one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL.
From 2001 to 2007, Faneca made seven Pro Bowls and earned six first-team All-Pro selections. The legendary guard also sprung the key block for Willie Parker on the longest touchdown run in Super Bowl history. He made two Pro Bowls with the Jets after leaving the Steelers.
Faneca spent 10 seasons in Pittsburgh, was named to the 2000s All-Decade Team, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021. He was one of the greatest offensive linemen to ever wear the black-and-gold threads.
9. Mel Blount
- Position: Cornerback
- Years Active: 1970-83
- Key Achievements: 5 Pro Bowls, 2 First-Team All-Pros, 1980s All-Decade Team, Hall of Fame
Mel Blount revolutionized the way the cornerback position was played in the NFL. At 6'3'' and 205 pounds, he used his size to reroute wide receivers down the field. In 1977 the NFL implemented the "Mel Blount Rule," decreeing that no defensive back could bump an offensive player outside of five yards from the line of scrimmage.
Changing the rules in the middle of his career wasn't enough to stop the talented cornerback from making a significant difference. After earning two Pro Bowls and All-Pro honors in the first half of his career, Blount recorded three more Pro Bowls and his second first-team All-Pro nod after the rule change.
Blount was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 1975, and he was a pivotal piece of the puzzle that brought the first four Super Bowls to Pittsburgh. He played in 200 games for the Steelers, made the All-Decade team of the 1980s, and made the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
8. Ben Roethlisberger
- Position: Quarterback
- Years Active: 2004-21
- Key Achievements: 6 Pro Bowls, Offensive Rookie of the Year, 2 Super Bowl wins
In terms of his importance to the team, Ben Roethlisberger was the single most valuable player to ever gear up for the Steelers, thanks to the position he played, his performance, and his longevity with the team. But even if you don't give "Big Ben" a boost for being a QB, he's still one of the best players in Steelers history.
Selected after Eli Manning and Philip Rivers as part of a historic quarterback class in 2004, Roethlisberger went 13-0 as a starter during his rookie season and earned all 48 votes to become the consensus Offensive Rookie of the Year. He had a statistical breakout in 2007 when he threw for 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while earning Pro Bowl honors.
The legendary quarterback played all 18 NFL seasons with the Steelers and compiled an outstanding record of 165-81-1 as a starter. His career was highlighted by a pair of Super Bowl rings, and he holds nearly every Steelers passing record.
7. Ernie Stautner
- Position: Defensive line
- Years Active: 1950-63
- Key Achievements: 9 Pro Bowls, 1 First-Team All-Pro, 1950s All-Decade Team, Hall of Fame
Only three numbers in Steelers history have been retired by the team, and Ernie Stautner's No. 70 is one of them. Pittsburgh's second-round pick in 1950 became one of the first sports legends of the Steel City.
Stautner primarily played defensive tackle for the Steelers before making the switch to defensive end late in his professional football career. In his third season, he made the Pro Bowl. Over 14 seasons with Pittsburgh, one of football's best players earned nine Pro Bowls, three second-team All-Pro berths, and one first-team All-Pro honor.
Stautner retired after his age-38 season. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969 and selected to the 1950s All-Decade Team.
6. Jack Ham
- Position: Linebacker
- Years Active: 1971-82
- Key Achievements: 8 Pro Bowls, 6 First-Team All-Pros, 1970s All-Decade Team, Hall of Fame, 4 Super Bowl wins
Jack Ham wasn't only one of the greatest players in Steelers franchise history, but he's also considered among the best linebackers to ever play the game. A member of the 1970s All-Decade team, he was one of the best and most consistent players in football -- regardless of position.
Pittsburgh's second-round pick in the 1971 NFL Draft started 13 of 14 games as a rookie. Two years later, he began a streak of eight straight Pro Bowls. Even more impressive are the six consecutive first-team All-Pro placements he earned from 1974 to 1979.
Surprisingly, Ham never earned Defensive Player of the Year honors, but he finished second in voting for the DPOY award in 1978 and fourth in 1979. The legendary linebacker started 160 games for the Steelers over 12 years. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the class of 1988.
5. Mike Webster
- Position: Center
- Years Active: 1974-88
- Key Achievements: 9 Pro Bowls, 5 First-Team All-Pros, 1970s All-Decade Team, 1980s All-Decade Team, Hall of Fame, 4 Super Bowl wins
Aside from Ben Roethlisberger, Mike Webster had a longer career than anyone in Steelers history. The remarkable center played 220 games for Pittsburgh (245 total NFL games) after coming aboard as a fifth-round pick in the legendary 1974 Steelers draft class.
After starting just two games in his first two seasons, Webster claimed the starting center job in 1976, and he remained in that role for the next 13 years. His performance peaked in the middle of his NFL career. From 1978 to 1983, the veteran compiled five first-team All-Pro selections.
Webster played with the Steelers until he was 36 years old in 1988 before closing his NFL career with the Chiefs. His outstanding performance and unmatched longevity landed him on both the 1970s and 1980s All-Decade Teams. Webster was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997.
4. Troy Polamalu
- Position: Safety
- Years Active: 2003-14
- Key Achievements: 8 Pro Bowls, 4 First-Team All-Pros, Defensive Player of the Year, 2000s All-Decade Team, Hall of Fame, 2 Super Bowl wins
Troy Polamalu was a one-of-a-kind player. With tremendous athleticism, ferocious physicality, and unparalleled instincts, he played with his hair on fire. The Steelers traded up in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft to select the USC safety, and it remains one of the best decisions the franchise has ever made.
After playing primarily special teams as a rookie, Polamalu earned Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors in his first year as a starter in 2004. In 12 years with the Steelers, the incredible safety made the Pro Bowl eight times while earning first-team All-Pro honors in four seasons. Following an outstanding 2010 season, he was named the AP Defensive Player of the Year.
Somehow, Polamalu was able to accomplish all of this despite having six seasons cut short due to injuries. The way he played football made you believe that he could see the play seconds before it unfolded.
Polamalu finished top-five in DPOY voting three times. He was named to the 2000s All-Decade Team and was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in the class of 2020. It makes you wonder what his accomplishments would have looked like if he hadn't dealt with injuries so often.
Regardless, he is a two-time Super Bowl champion and widely regarded as one of the greatest to ever play the strong safety position.
3. Rod Woodson
- Position: Cornerback
- Years Active: 1987-96
- Key Achievements: 7 Pro Bowls, 5 First-Team All-Pros, Defensive Player of the Year, 1990s All-Decade Team, Hall of Fame
Rod Woodson is considered one of the greatest defensive backs in the history of the NFL, and he did most of his damage as a cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 10th overall pick in the 1987 NFL Draft, he missed the first half of his rookie season and didn't record a start until Year 2.
In 1988, Woodson recorded four interceptions. One year later, he earned a reputation as one of the best cornerbacks in the league. From 1989 to 1996, he tallied seven Pro Bowls and five first-team All-Pro honors. He was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year after an eight-interception season in 1993, and he finished second in DPOY voting in 1994.
Woodson played for the Steelers from age 22 to age 31. He departed from the team during the 1997 offseason and went on to play six more seasons, earning four more Pro Bowls and another first-team All-Pro. He was named to the 1990s All-Decade Team and was inducted into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 2009.
2. Jack Lambert
- Position: Linebacker
- Years Active: 1974-84
- Key Achievements: 9 Pro Bowls, 6 First-Team All-Pros, Defensive Player of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year, Hall of Fame, 4 Super Bowl wins
Jack Lambert was selected by Pittsburgh in the second round of the historic 1974 draft class. Immediately, the Steelers knew they had something special. Lambert ran away with Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in his first season in the NFL, and he helped his team cap off the year with its first Super Bowl win.
At 6'4'' and 220 pounds, Lambert was one of the most physically imposing football players the game has ever seen. The legendary linebacker made nine consecutive Pro Bowls from 1975 to 1983. In 1976, he was named the AP Defensive Player of the Year while finishing second in MVP voting.
Remarkably, Lambert finished in the top seven in DPOY voting in seven NFL seasons. With size, toughness, grit, accolades, and Super Bowl wins, he had it all. The Steelers star made the 1970s and 1980s All-Decade Teams and was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in the class of 1990.
1. Joe Greene
- Position: Defensive tackle
- Years Active: 1969-81
- Key Achievements: 10 Pro Bowls, 4 First-Team All-Pros, 2-time Defensive Player of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year, 1970s All-Decade Team, Hall of Fame, 4 Super Bowl wins
When it comes to football accomplishments with the Pittsburgh Steelers, there is no contest. "Mean" Joe Greene had multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards to go with Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and four Super Bowl rings, accompanied by four first-team All-Pro berths and a franchise-high 10 Pro Bowls.
As the fourth overall pick in the 1969 NFL Draft, Greene was an offense's worst nightmare from the moment he stepped onto the NFL stage. At 6'4'' and 275 pounds, he ragdolled offensive linemen to make effortless plays on the ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage.
The legendary defensive tackle was blessed with remarkable health throughout his career, which allowed him to play in 181 games over 13 seasons. Greene was named to the 1970s All-Decade Team after becoming one of the most decorated players in the history of professional football. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1987.
Greene accomplished everything an NFL player could dream of while helping his team earn four Super Bowl titles. He is considered one of the greatest players to ever put on a helmet in the NFL -- regardless of position.
All stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference.