10 Best Draft Picks in Pittsburgh Steelers History

2. Jack Lambert, LB, 1974

Joe Greene may have had the “Mean” moniker, but it was Jack Lambert who made the Steel Curtain defense truly nasty. Lambert, who played collegiately at Kent State, was drafted 46th overall in the second round. He was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1974, Defensive Player of the Year in 1976, was a five-time first-team All-Pro and a four-time Super Bowl champion.

3. John Stallworth, WR, 1974

John Stallworth was a fourth-round pick (82nd overall) out of Alabama A&M. Stallworth had 8,723 receiving yards and 74 touchdowns over his 14-year career, all with the Steelers. Stallworth never got as much attention as Swann, but he made two of the most famous catches in franchise history — a 75-yard touchdown in Super Bowl XIII and a 73-yard score in Super Bowl XIV.

4. Mel Blount, CB, 1970

Mel Blount was a third-round pick (53rd overall) out of Southern University. A Hall of Famer, Blount was the 1975 Defensive Player of the Year in 1975, when he led the NFL with 11 interceptions. His 57 career picks are still tied for 13th all-time.  

5. Jack Ham, LB, 1971

Jack Ham was a steady force in the middle of the Steel Curtain defense. A second-round pick (34th overall) out of Penn State, Ham was a six-time first-team All-Pro amd Hall of Famer.

6. L.C. Greenwood, DE, 1969

A six-time Pro Bowler, L.C. Greenwood amassed 87 sacks in his 12 seasons with the Steelers. He’s been a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame six times, most recently for the Class of 2026, but has yet to be enshrined. Still, not bad for the defensive end out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff considering he wasn’t drafted until the 10th round, 238th overall.

7. Dermontti Dawson, C, 1988

Our top six on this list were all part of the Steelers’ dynasty of the 1970s. Dermontti Dawson, a leader on Pittsburgh’s teams of the ‘90s, is next. Dawson, a second-round pick (44th overall) out of Kentucky, started 181 games in 13 years with the Steelers, earning six first-team All-Pro nods and a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

8. Hines Ward, 1998

While Swann and Stallworth are immortalized in Canton, it’s Hines Ward who holds the franchise records for receptions (1,000), yards (12,083) and touchdowns (85). A third-round pick (92nd overall) out of Georgia, Ward is a two-time Super Bowl champ with Pittsburgh and the MVP of Super Bowl XL.

9. Joey Porter, LB, 1999

A third-round pick (73rd overall) out of Colorado State, Porter was a key force on the defnese that helped Pittsburgh win Super Bowl XL. Porter played eight seasons in Pittsburgh and then another five seasons with the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals. He finished his career with 98 sacks.

10. Greg Lloyd, LB, 1997

Greg Lloyd was drafted in the sixth round (150th overall) from Fort Valley State. The five-time Pro Bowler twice tied for the NFL lead in forced fumbles. He finished his career with 38 forced fumbles, still 15th on the all-time list.