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 12 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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12. Hines Ward (3rd round, 1998, Georgia)
- Super Bowl XL MVP (5 receptions, 123 yards, GW TD)
- Steelers Hall of Honor
- Steelers all-time receptions leader (1,000)
- Steelers all-time receiving yards leader (12,083)
- Steelers all-time receiving TD leader (85)
- Steelers all-time leader in playoff TD receptions (10)
- 12-6 in post-season career with pair of Super Bowl wins
- Known as one of the toughest blocking receivers in NFL history, so good rules changed
- 5 game stretch in 2002 of 43 receptions, 608 yards, 5 TD
- Career high 171 yards receiving & 3 TD in home state of Georgia
- 4-time Pro Bowler
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, 23. Heath Miller, 22. Casey Hampton, 21. Greg Lloyd, 20. Maurkice Pouncey, 19. Dermontti Dawson, 18. Cam Heyward, 17. Rod Woodson, 16. LC Greenwood, 15. Alan Faneca, 14. TJ Watt, 13. Lynn Swann
Lynn Swann Steelers 13th best draft pick since '69
Coverage every day until the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh starting April 23.
