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 23 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.
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23. Heath Miller (1st round, 2005, Virginia)
- Steelers Hall of Honor
- 4th leading receiver in Steelers history (6,569 yards)
- 3rd most receptions in Steelers history (592)
- 5th most receiving TD (45)
- Miller had 825 targets and fumbled only 7 times
- Caught 71.8% of the passes his way
- A favorite target of Ben Roethlisberger his entire career
- Had 11 receptions for 156 yards and a TD in the 2008 postseason
- In his first 7 NFL games, had 6 touchdowns
- 1st 100-yard game was 3 receptions for 101 yards vs. Miami
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, 35. Lawrence Timmons, 34. Dwayne Woodruff, 33. Jon Kolb, 32. LaMarr Woodley, 31. Jason Gildon, 30. David DeCastro, 29. LeVeon Bell, 28. Ike Taylor, 27. Aaron Smith, 26. Dwight White, 25. Joey Porter, 24. Mike Wagner
Coverage every day until the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh starting April 23.
