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 32 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.
32. LaMarr Woodley (2nd round, 2007)
· 9th in Steelers history in sacks with 57 despite playing only 94 games
· 7th in tackles for loss (68), 4th in QB hits (98)
· Had six sacks in the 3 games on way to winning Super Bowl XLIII along with a forced fumble and a pair of passes defensed
· Had 2 sacks in each of his first 4 playoff games and sacks in each of his first 7 playoff games
· In 2008 win over Houston, had a sack, 2 tackles for loss, 2 QB hits, an interception and fumble recovery
· In last 8 games of 2009 season-11.5 sacks, 44 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits, forced fumble, 2 passes defensed
· Had a streak with 10 straight games with at least a half sack
· 4 different times had back-to-back 2 sack games
· Sack of Eli Manning with 3:45 left in 4th quarter gave Steelers the ball for good in 24-20 win over the Giants in 2012
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
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