In “quirky offseason lists to cross the time,” we are able to admire that ESPN ranked the very best draft decide at each particular person quantity in NFL historical past. Ben Solak underwent the tedious job of evaluating resumes from No. 1 to No. 262. No shock, a number of of essentially the most well-known, and a few much less so, Steelers’ draft picks made the listing.
The primary to look on the listing was DL Cam Heyward at No. 31 general. Dubbed the best decide at that slot, Heyward was the Steelers’ first-round decide in 2011, one 12 months after falling to the Inexperienced Bay Packers within the Tremendous Bowl. A basic 3-4 defensive finish, Heyward is likely one of the few remaining gamers from the category and has turn out to be an icon of the Steelers’ franchise. With a bounce-back 2024, his resume has tilted into Corridor of Fame worthy, and he stays a prime inside defender within the recreation.
“Heyward is approaching his fifteenth season with the Steelers, is a Walter Payton Man of the 12 months and may go down as the most effective Steelers of all time — an extremely robust listing to make,” Solak wrote.
An correct summation of Heyward’s profession, beating out Corridor of Fame DL Curley Culp.
Right here’s the listing of gamers who had been Steelers for some or all of their careers.
No. 31 – DL Cam Heyward
No. 34 – LB Jack Ham
No. 44 – C Dust Dawson
No. 46 – LB Jack Lambert
No. 53 – CB Mel Blount
No. 92 – WR Hines Ward
No. 104 – DL Dwight White
No. 122 – LB Hardy Nickerson
No. 125 – C Mike Webster
No. 128 – ILB Larry Foote
No. 150 – EDGE Greg Lloyd
No. 195 – WR Antonio Brown
No. 238 – DL L.C. Greenwood
No. 248 – OT Kelvin Beachum
No. 258 – ILB Jerry Olsavsky
Most picks didn’t include an evidence, as Solak listed out most picks previous the primary spherical. Blount at No. 53 did, and although he was the choice, it was apparently shut. He wrote that Blount was “warding off” WR Davante Adams and QB Jalen Hurts, and Blount may very well be changed in a future listing. Adams and Hurts are wonderful modern-era gamers, however neither comes near Blount’s resume. Blount was a first-ballot Corridor of Famer and stays one of many biggest cornerbacks in historical past. Adams and Hurts don’t rank wherever close to that at their respective positions.
Whereas some choices are apparent, seeing Nickerson, Foote, Beachum, and Olsavsky is fascinating. With fewer standout gamers at these positions, all 4 made the lower. Nickerson solely performed the entrance half of his profession in Pittsburgh, whereas Beachum stays within the NFL and hasn’t performed for Pittsburgh since 2015. Olsavsky went from a tenth-round decide to enjoying in 108 video games for Pittsburgh from 1989 to 1997.
Two different gamers who spent a short time with the Steelers additionally made the listing. QB Russell Wilson with the seventy fifth general decide and WR Terance Mathis at No. 140. Wilson spent most of his profession with the Seattle Seahawks however performed for Pittsburgh in 2024. He signed with the New York Giants earlier within the offseason. Mathis was a blip on the Steelers’ radar, spending his last NFL season with the group in 2002. He caught simply 23 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns.
The highest No. 1 general decide, certain to be of fierce debate, was QB Peyton Manning. He beat out QBs John Elway, Terry Bradshaw, and everybody else. LB Lawrence Taylor, RB Barry Sanders, RB Walter Payton, and CB Deion Sanders rounded out the highest 5.
