PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – In leading up to the first ever NFL Draft held in Pittsburgh, we take a look at the 50 best Steelers draft picks.
It’s a list that includes Pro Football Hall of Famers, Hall of Honor members, players drafted since 1969 that contributed to 43 winning seasons and six Super Bowl titles over that time.
Today is number 35 with a few ground rules-its only players drafted by the Steelers, the list does not include those who were drafted by someone else and starred with the Steelers. It also does not include undrafted players.
The rankings are based on what they’ve done with the Steelers and not what they may have done after leaving Pittsburgh. Those eligible for this list are players drafted starting with Chuck Noll’s first season.
36. Lawrence Timmons (1st round, 2007, Florida State)
· 2nd all-time in Steelers history in solo tackles (679)
· 17th in Steelers all-time sacks with 35.5
· Also finished with 13 forced fumbles and 12 interceptions
· Pro Bowler in 2014 finishing with 132 tackles
· For 6 consecutive seasons played every game
· Starter on defense for Super Bowl XLIII
· 19 tackles in pair of AFC playoff games leading up to Super Bowl XLV
· Had 6 double-figure tackle games in 2010, 59 tackles in first 5 games
A few ground rules in that undrafted players are not counted. Also, players that may have been drafted by the Steelers but starred for other teams don’t count in this list. The rankings are based on what they’ve done with the Steelers and not what they may have done after leaving Pittsburgh. We started in 1969 beginning with Chuck Noll’s first season.
Previously mentioned—50. Larry Foote, 49. Willie Gay, 48. John Jackson, 47. Mike Merriweather, 46. Brett Keisel, 45. Deshea Townsend, 44. Robin Cole, 43. Tunch Ilkin, 42. Levon Kirkland, 41. Carnell Lake, 40. Darren Perry, 39. Ernie Holmes, 38. Larry Brown, 37. Louis Lipps, 36. Kordell Stewart
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Coverage every day until the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh starting April 23.