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 28 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.
28. Ike Taylor (4th round, 2003, Louisiana)
· Steelers all-time leader in passes defensed (134)
· 9th all-time in solo tackles in Steelers history (518)
· 17th all-time in Steelers history with 174 games played
· Won pair of Super Bowls, won 10 of 14 playoff games played
· Had interception in 2005 AFC Championship game and in Super Bowl XL
· Steelers leading tackler in Super Bowl XLIII
· 2nd leading tackler in playoff win at Indianapolis in 2005 season
· 15-tackle game vs New England in 2005, one of 3 double-digit tackle games that season
· 51-yard interception return for TD sealed win over St. Louis
· 4 passes defensed and interception in shutout win over Matt Hasselbeck and Seattle in 2007
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
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Coverage every day until the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh starting April 23.