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 29 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.
29. Le’Veon Bell (2nd round, 2013, Michigan State)
· Rushed for 5,336 yards in 5 seasons with the Steelers
· 4th in Steelers all-time rushing yards
· 3rd in Steelers all-time rushing touchdowns
· 10th all-time in Steelers receptions (312)
· 24th all-time in Steelers receiving yards (2,660), most by an RB
· Rushed for NFL leading 357 yards in 3 playoff games in 2016 and did that while missing most of the New England game, thought of as a big reason for the loss
· Ran for 236 yards and 3 TD in the snow at Buffalo (combined for 288 yards)
· 1st 200-yard game (204 yards) helped lead comeback win at Tennessee
· Finished last 6 games of 2016 season with 1,091 combined yards and 7 TD
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
Coverage every day until the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh starting April 23.