Steelers all-time sack leader, TJ Watt #14

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 14 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.

Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

14. TJ Watt (1^st round, 1974, USC)

• Steelers all-time sack leader with 115
• Steelers all-time leader in QB hits (244)
• 2^nd in Steelers all-time tackles for loss (136)
• 2^nd in Steelers all-time forced fumbles (36)
• 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
• 5 times in top 4 of voting for Defensive Player of the Year
• Led NFL in sacks 3 different seasons (22.5 in 2021 was NFL record)
• 5 times All Pro
• 1^st NFL game had 2 sacks & an interception against Cleveland
• 3 sack game to start 2^nd NFL season, also against Cleveland
• 3.5 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 6 quarterback hits, forced fumble game vs Ravens in 2021
• 4 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 5 quarterback hits, 2 passes defensed in win oer Cleveland in 2022
• 3 sacks, TFL, 5 quarterback hits, 2 forced fumbles in 2023 season opener against San Francisco
• 16-yard fumble return for TD was game-winner in 26-22 victory over Cleveland in 2023

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

https://www.audacy.com/937thefan/sports/pittsburgh-steelers/hall-of-fame-guard-alan-faneca-15th-best-steelers-draft-pick-since-69

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