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 11 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.
11. Jack Ham (2nd round, 1971, Penn State)
- Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Steelers Hall of Honor
- 4th all-time in Steelers history with 21 fumble recoveries
- Tackles, TFL, QB hurries, passes defensed were not counted during his career
- Pro Football Hall of Fame All Decade Team of the 1970s
- 25.5 career sacks
- 32 career interceptions
- 2 interceptions in AFC Championship game against Ken Stabler & Raiders in 1974
- Had 5 interceptions in 16 career playoff games (11 wins)
- 7 interceptions in 1972
- Played 162 career games
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
Hines Ward Steelers 12th best draft choice since 1969
Coverage every day until the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh starting April 23.
Linebacker had 5 career playoff interceptions, All-Decade Team
Linebacker had 5 career playoff interceptions, All-Decade Team
