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 44 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.
44. Robin Cole (1st round, 1977, New Mexico)
· 6th in Steelers history in career forced fumbles (17)
· Played in 150 career games, starting 127
· Top 30 in Steelers career sacks (26), league did not track tackles in his era (1977-87)
· Forced 3 fumbles in 38-3 win over Chicago in 1980
· Forced pair of fumbles against Dave Krieg in win over Seattle in 1987
· Forced fumble vs. Kansas City in 1978 that Donnie Shell returned for TD in win to improve to 8-1
· Won Super Bowl XIII and XIV including a sack against the Rams
Previously mentioned—50. Deshea Townsend, 49. Willie Gay, 48. John Jackson, 47. Mike Merriweather, 46. Brett Keisel, 45. Deshea Townsend
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Coverage every day until the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh starting April 23.