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 22 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.
Casey Hampton & Steelers with President Bush Chip Somodevilla / Staff
22. Casey Hampton (1st round, 2001, Texas)
- Steelers Hall of Honor
- 173 career games, 18th in Steelers history
- 5 forced fumbles, 9.5 sacks, 39 tackles for loss, 403 total tackles
- 6-2 in post-season career winning Super Bowl XL and XLIII
- 5-time Pro Bowl selection
- 2005 Steelers MVP
- Member of Steelers 75th Anniversary Team
- Dick LeBeau credited the start of success with his defense to Hampton at nose tackle
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
Coverage every day until the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh starting April 23.
