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 9 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.
9. Jack Lambert (2nd round, 1974, Kent State)
- Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Steelers Hall of Honor
- 17 career fumble recoveries (7th all-time in Steelers history)
- 28 career interceptions (6 in 1979), 23.5 sacks
- Did not count tackles, TFL, passes defensed, QB hits during his career
- 1976 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
- 1974 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year
- Late interception against Rams preserved Super Bowl XIV victory
- 9 consecutive Pro Bowls
- 6 times 1st Team All-Pro
- Led NFL with 8 fumble recoveries in 1976
- 8-time Steelers defensive captain
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, 17. Rod Woodson, 16. LC Greenwood, 15. Alan Faneca, 14. TJ Watt, 13. Lynn Swann, 12. Hines Ward, 11. Jack Ham, 10. John Stallworth
John Stallworth Steelers 10th best draft pick since 1969
Coverage every day until the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh starting April 23.
4-time champ Lambert epitomized toughness, Steelers 9th best draft pick since 1969
4-time champ Lambert epitomized toughness, Steelers 9th best draft pick since 1969
