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 34 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.
34. Dwayne Woodruff (6th round, 1979, Louisville)
· 5th in Steelers history with 37 career interceptions
· At 5’11”, 198 pounds, Woodruff played in 157 games, starting 105
· In his last 8 seasons, had at least three interceptions per year including four years with 5 picks.
· Had picks in his first two career playoff games, 1st off Don Strock (Miami), 2nd off Dan Pastorini (Houston)
· Interception in 1st career NFL game, pick of Steve Grogan at Steelers 19-yard line to force overtime, Steelers would win the game
· Multi-interception game vs. Joe Ferguson and the Bills in 1982, Brian Sipe and Cleveland in 1983, Turk Schonert and the Bengals in 1984, Richard Todd and the Saints in 1984
· 78-yard interception return for TD against Dan Marino in win in 1988
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
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Coverage every day until the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh starting April 23.