The Pittsburgh Steelers made among the best strikes in franchise historical past when the group traded as much as choose S Troy Polamalu through the 2003 NFL Draft. Regardless that Polamalu, who was elected to the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2020, was the No. 16 total choose, NFL Media’s Eric Edholm nonetheless believes he was the second-best worth choice at security over the past millennium.
“The Steelers traded up 11 spots to draft Polamalu within the high half of Spherical 1, so I wasn’t instantly certain he moderately might be referred to as a real draft steal. However when contemplating how Polamalu’s Corridor of Fame résumé stands out in comparison with the comparatively lackluster nature of each the 2003 draft class and the general pool of security candidates, I grew to become satisfied he nonetheless belonged right here,” Edholm writes.
“He was a do-it-all sport wrecker, in a position to break opponents up close to the road of scrimmage or again in deep protection, or by manning up in opposition to backs and tight ends. The truth that Polamalu did it completely in Pittsburgh, serving to the legendary franchise win two Tremendous Bowls throughout his 12 seasons, was the icing on the cake.”
Polamalu solely ranked behind the participant he was in comparison with for many of his profession, Ed Reed, in Edholm’s checklist. Reed was chosen twenty fourth total within the 2002 NFL Draft, and he completed his profession with 64 interceptions and enshrinement within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame. Polamalu completed forward of Eric Weddle, Adrian Wilson and Kam Chancellor on Edholm’s checklist.
Regardless that Polamalu was a first-round choose, there weren’t many who have been extra dominant throughout his period. He was a first-team All-Professional 4 instances, an eight-time Professional Bowler and took dwelling Defensive Participant of the 12 months award honors in 2010. On high of that, he was instrumental in serving to the Steelers win two Tremendous Bowls. Draft place doesn’t matter when somebody has the profession Polamalu has. Even when he was the first total choose, the worth he offered would nonetheless make him one of many greatest steals on the place this century.
Polamalu lately linked with newly-acquired CB Jalen Ramsey, a superb signal to see Ramsey attending to know a group legend. Polamalu was a particular participant on and off the sector, and it’s nice to see him across the group and taking time to speak to a present participant.
Nevertheless it’s uncommon to look at a participant as gifted as Troy Polamalu, whose soccer IQ and bodily items made him a very particular participant. In an extended line of nice defensive gamers who’ve got here via Pittsburgh, Polamalu stands out within the upper-echelon. Kevin Colbert deserves props for buying and selling as much as choose him.
