All-time returner, corner Rod Woodson Steelers draft pick #17

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 17 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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17. Rod Woodson (1^st round, 1988, Purdue)

• Pro Football Hall of Fame
• 4^th in Steelers history with 38 career interceptions
• 5 career defensive touchdowns tied for most in Steelers history
• Tied with Jack Ham for most fumbles recovered with 21
• Defensive Player of the Year in 1993 with 8 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles
• 6-time All Pro
• runner up as Defensive Player of the Year in 1994 (4 INT-2TD, 2FF-TD)
• Steelers all-time leader in punt return yards, by 603
• Steelers all-time leader in kick return yards, by 2,028
• 3^rd career NFL game had a 45-yard Pick 6 of Boomer Esiason in win over Cincinnati
• Fought back from early season ACL tear to play in Super Bowl XXX

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

Coverage every day until the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh starting April 23.