The best NFL draft picks by state

Although Owens is undoubtedly one of the highest-maintenance players in NFL history, he is also one of the greatest wide receivers ever. He ascended to that status as a 1996 third-round pick from Tennessee-Chattanooga. Chosen a year after the 49ers used a first-round pick on J.J. Stokes, Owens usurped him and became Jerry Rice's heir apparent. Owens' best stretch came for the team that drafted him, with the Alexander City, Alabama, native posting three straight All-Pro slates, from 2000-02. The physical marvel added two more All-Pros, one apiece with the Eagles and Cowboys.

Prior to becoming one of the more prominent NFL analysts, Schlereth was a success story out of Anchorage. A 10th-round Redskins pick out of Idaho in 1989, the guard started as a rookie and was part of the 1991 "Hogs" offensive line and one of the greatest teams ever. Despite many knee surgeries, "Stink" then found his way to another famed offensive front: the zone-blocking unit that helped send Terrell Davis to the Hall of Fame. A two-time Pro Bowler, Schlereth collected two more rings in Denver and ended up playing 12 seasons.

The Browns made one of the savvier draft choices in NFL history, nabbing Mitchell in the 1958 seventh round. Their 1961 trade did not go well and ended up benefiting both Mitchell and the Redskins. Dealt in the swap that gave the Browns Ernie Davis' rights, Mitchell moved to wideout in Washington and fast-tracked his Hall of Fame path. Jim Brown's former backfield sidekick led the NFL in receiving in 1962 and '63. The Hot Springs, Arkansas, native was a four-time Pro Bowler and finished his 11-year career with 83 touchdowns. The first African American player to play for the Redskins, Mitchell died Sunday at age 84.

The Cowboys acquired Woodson via a second-round pick in 1992. The safety out of Phoenix and Arizona State became one of the best defensive backs of the 1990s, starting for two Cowboys Super Bowl teams and securing three rings. Woodson became a three-time All-Pro and was an anchor in Dallas through the 2003 season. Dallas did well with trades for draft picks during the Jimmy Johnson era, and although Woodson didn't arrive via the Herschel Walker deal — instead a 1992 trade with the Falcons — he is one of the examples of that era's dominance.

The Patriots using pick No. 199 in 2000 on an unathletic Michigan quarterback did not turn heads at the time, but it changed NFL history. A San Mateo native, Brady was a part-time Wolverines starter who did not top 2,500 yards in a college season. Fourteen Pro Bowls, three MVPs and six Super Bowl rings later, Brady became one of the greatest players in NFL history. He is the only non-first-round pick to win MVP since 2002. Considering the Tampa-bound legend played 20 seasons in New England, no team extracted more value from a draft choice in the event's 85-year history. 

Fellow Colorado native-turned-second-round pick Calais Campbell may have had the slightly better career, but Jackson was the more impressive draft pick. Coming to the Chargers out of Northern Colorado in 2005, Jackson grew into the No. 1 receiver role just as the Bolts pieced together a strong run in the late 2000s. Jackson and Antonio Gates became Philip Rivers' trusted targets, and the former delivered three 1,000-yard seasons in San Diego. After six years there, the Colorado Springs native posted three more four-digit slates with the Buccaneers to finish off a 12-year career.

A 19th-round pick out of now-defunct Arnold (Conn.) College, Robustelli was a starter for the Rams as a rookie. The undersized defensive end was an All-Pro by his third year. However, the Rams used him to acquire a 1956 first-round pick (Del Shofner, who later became a Giant). Robustelli (five All-Pro honors) helped anchor Tom Landry's 4-3 defense with the Giants, who stormed to the NFL title in Robustelli's first season there. New York won five more Eastern Conference crowns in the defender's nine-season Big Apple run. The Stamford native's 22 fumble recoveries were an NFL-best when he retired in 1965.

Delaware has not produced many quality NFLers, but Petitgout did start throughout his Giants career. Chosen in the first round of the 1999 draft, Petitgout became Big Blue's left tackle as a rookie and kept the job through the 2006 season. He helped the Giants to Super Bowl XXXV in 2000 and was part of Tiki Barber's late-career renaissance. A Notre Dame alumnus, Petitgout did not make a Pro Bowl team and was not with the Giants when they won Super Bowl XLII. He finished his career in an injury-abbreviated 2007 slate with the Buccaneers.

Along with California and Texas, Florida is a marquee state for athletic talent. No Sunshine State success story compares to Jones'. Having attended a high school in central Florida, Jones caught the Rams' eye while they were scouting another player at Mississippi Valley State. While the future NFL superstar never would have lasted until the 14th round today, the Rams added him to flank their Fearsome Foursome defensive line. Helped by his head-slap move, Jones terrorized tackles and made five All-Pro teams in 14 seasons. The sack master before sacks existed helped future pass rushers' profiles by coining the term.

One of the players Jones helped was also a small-school success story in the South. An Atlanta product, Dent went to college at Tennessee State and landed in Chicago via eighth-round pick in 1983. The premier pass rusher on Bears defenses geared around this skill, Dent still ranks ninth all time with 137.5 sacks. A key part of one of the most celebrated seasons in NFL history, Dent registered 23 sacks between the regular season and the Bears' three playoff games in 1985. The Hall of Famer closed the season with Super Bowl MVP honors.

One of the better centers of his era, Kreutz was there when the Bears resurfaced as an NFL power. The center for four Bears playoff teams between 2001-10, the Honolulu native made his mark as an NFLer. The Bears drafted Kreutz in the 1998 third round out of the University of Washington; he was its starting snapper for 12 years. A nasty competitor, as a few fights showed, Kreutz wound up back in Hawaii as part of six Pro Bowl teams. 

There was not much to celebrate about the Cardinals' near-three-decade tenure in St. Louis, but Wilson was a bright spot in a bad era. The Idaho-product-turned Utah Ute lasted until the seventh round of the 1960 NFL Draft; he was not chosen by an AFL team. Perfecting the safety blitz, Wilson went on to become a five-time All-Pro and starter for 13 Cardinals teams. He finished his career with 52 interceptions, and despite not playing in a playoff game, Wilson was a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Sharpe grew up in Georgia but was born in Chicago. He became one of the greatest draft steals ever, strolling into the Hall of Fame despite entering the NFL as a wide receiver out of small Savannah State. The Broncos used a seventh-round pick on Sterling Sharpe's less-hyped younger brother in 1990, and he barely made the team as a rookie. By 1992 Sharpe was a Pro Bowler and Denver's aerial centerpiece. That arrangement remained through the Broncos' Super Bowl seasons. The gregarious pass catcher retired atop every key tight end stat category and once won an NFL-record 12 straight playoff games.

Despite Dan Marino's "Marks Brothers" wideout duo possessing similar builds and statistics, the younger one was not the prospect Mark Duper was. While Duper was a second-round pick, Clayton lasted until Round 8 in 1983. The Indianapolis native and Louisville product delivered for the Dolphins immediately, hauling in 18 touchdown receptions in 1984 — still third all time — and was part of the greatest aerial season in NFL history. The 5-foot-9 Clayton posted five 1,000-yard seasons, made five Pro Bowls and remains Miami's career TDs leader with 82. 

The recently retired guard spent 13 years with the Ravens and was one of this era's defining linemen. Yanda was vital to the Ravens' switch from Joe Flacco to a nuanced, run-oriented offense under Lamar Jackson. The Cedar Rapids native and Iowa Hawkeyes product came off the 2007 draft board in the third round. Yanda made many teams regret that during his Raven run, which ended with eight Pro Bowls, a Super Bowl ring and a spot on the NFL's 2010s All-Decade team.

On the subject of guards, this Hall of Famer was part of one of the NFL's all-time great lines. Teaming with fellow Hall of Famer Willie Roaf and Pro Bowler Brian Waters, Shields and Co. helped turn Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson into fantasy icons in the early and mid-2000s. Drafted in the third round out of Nebraska, despite winning the 1992 Outland Trophy, Shields began his career blocking for Joe Montana. The 12-time Pro Bowler never missed a game in 14 seasons and helped make the Chiefs' prolific early-aughts offenses possible. 

There were better players on the Vikings Purple People Eaters defensive line, but Marshall was the corps' constant. The Browns drafted Marshall, who went in the 1960 fourth round, but traded him away after one season. He proceeded to start for the next 18 years in Minnesota. First-round picks Alan Page and Carl Eller anchored the Vikings line, but Marshall — born in Danville, Kentucky, before heading to Ohio State — played in an astonishing 282 straight games. It took Brett Favre 17 seasons to break the defensive end's record of 270 consecutive starts.

This highly regarded defensive end could have teamed with Marshall in Cleveland. Another savvy Browns draft pick-turned-trade chip, Davis spent most of the final 10 years of his career as one of Vince Lombardi's defensive cornerstones. Mostly a Browns backup after going in the 1956 15th round, Davis went to Green Bay in a 1960 trade for a player who played only three NFL seasons. The Lisbon, Louisiana, native and Grambling State alumnus started for all five of Lombardi's championship teams, making five All-Pro squads before retiring after the 1969 season. 

As you may expect, Maine has not produced too many NFL players, but Bunting was a longtime starter in Philadelphia. A 10th-round pick out of North Carolina, Bunting lasted 10 years on the team that drafted him. The linebacker, born in Portland, Maine, was a full-time starter for most of his career. Although he never made a Pro Bowl, Bunting started throughout the Eagles' 1980 Super Bowl season and outlasted every other Philadelphia 1972 draft pick.

There have not been too many linebacker tandems superior to the one the 49ers deployed in the early 2010s. While Patrick Willis received more acclaim, Bowman was not far off. One of Scot McCloughan's final moves as general manager was taking Bowman in the 2010 third round out of Penn State. The Maryland native became one of the best off-ball linebackers of this decade, joining Willis as an All-Pro fixture. He made four All-Pro teams, the last of which coming after a gruesome knee injury wiped out his 2014 season. Bowman also provided a fun ending to Candlestick Park to punctuate his comeback year.

This was close between Nalen and Hall of Famer Nick Buoniconti, but the latter — despite being a 13th-round pick — went much earlier than Nalen (No. 218 in 1994). The Broncos used their undersized center to form a cutting-edge blocking system that produced six 1,000-yard backs between 1995-2006. The only constant in those rushing attacks: a rugged Boston native who rarely said much. Nalen went to five Pro Bowls and earned both his All-Pro honors after Terrell Davis' injury. The Boston College product played 14 seasons, beginning his career blocking for orange-jersey John Elway and ending as Jay Cutler's snapper.

The third man in a storied linebacking trio, Russell beat the odds more than Hall of Famers Jack Lambert or Jack Ham. One of the few pre-Chuck Noll-era Steelers investments to be part of the Super Bowl teams, Russell arrived as a 16th-round pick out of Mizzou in 1963. Military service interrupted his career, but he was a starter before and after. Pittsburgh used Russell as a first-string outside linebacker for its 1974 and '75 Super Bowl teams and on its premier defense — the 1976 outfit — when he was 35. A dependable Steel Curtain cog, the Detroit native quietly made seven Pro Bowls. 

Even the homegrown talent's non-Minnesota years were memorable. The St. Paul native went to Harvard, becoming a sixth-round pick in 1998, and finished his career 15 seasons later as the starting center for the Super Bowl champion Ravens. But Birk is mostly known for spearheading his hometown team's offensive line for a decade. The first Harvard draftee in 13 years, Birk made six Pro Bowls with the Vikings, first blocking for Daunte Culpepper and then introducing Adrian Peterson to the NFL. The Ravens made the playoffs in each of Birk's four seasons; he walked away on top in 2013.

Mississippi produced two iconic modern NFL talents, but the Falcons traded Brett Favre after one season. It's hard to reward them for what turned out to be a historic second-round pick. The 49ers traded up 12 spots with the Patriots to draft Rice at No. 16 overall in 1985. The third receiver taken that year, behind solid starters Al Toon and Eddie Brown, Rice spent the next 16 years rewriting record books. His unfathomable 10 All-Pro honors came in San Francisco. The Mississippi Valley State superstar played for 20 years and became arguably (a good argument) the greatest player in NFL history.

Winslow was at the heart of a revolutionary offense — an attack that may not have been possible without him. The fleet tight end laid the groundwork for the role that most of the league's best play today. The Chargers took Winslow with 1979's No. 13 pick out of Mizzou, and the St. Louis native was a driving force for Air Coryell. His legendary 1981 playoff game in Miami remains one of the best performances ever. Winslow's three All-Pros occurred from 1980-82, Air Coryell's apex, but a 1984 knee injury shortened his career. 

Kramer finally got his Hall of Fame due in 2018. The 1960s All-Decade member was a key component of the Packers dynasty. A fourth-round pick out of Idaho in 1958, the Pack's final pre-Vince Lombardi year, Kramer became one of the iconic coach's favorites. The Jordan, Montana, native and former Idaho Vandal was a five-time All-Pro who came up big in some of the NFL's signature games. He moonlighted as the Packers kicker in 1962, making three field goals in a gusty NFL title game in New York, and he delivered the key block that closed the Ice Bowl. 

Ahman Green was a quality running back, Greg Zuerlein a sixth-round pick, but Fischer managed to play 17 seasons — most of those coming as a starter with the Cardinals and Redskins. St. Louis landed the cornerback in the 1961 17th round, and the former Cornhusker joined Larry Wilson in a talented Cardinals secondary. Fischer made two All-Pro teams and was the second coming with Washington. He helped the Redskins to Super Bowl VII, Washington's defense stifling Roger Staubach to get there, and remained a starter into his age-37 season. His 56 interceptions sit 18th all time. 

It came down to Murray vs. Steven Jackson here. The latter, a first-round pick, produced three Pro Bowl seasons during a rough time in Rams history. But Murray matched that in a shorter span and did so as a third-rounder. What sets Murray apart: his dominant 2014 season. Emmitt Smith, Tony Dorsett and Ezekiel Elliott do not hold the Cowboys' single-season rushing record. Murray does. The former Oklahoma back amassed 1,845 ground yards that season, earning Offensive Player of the Year honors. The Las Vegas native also posted a 1,200-plus-yard season with the Titans before retiring after seven seasons in 2018.

The Northeast has not given the world much in the way of NFL depth, but New England has provided some talent. Landry did not necessarily deliver on the Lions' investment — 11th overall in 1968 — but the Nashua, New Hampshire-produced quarterback cashed NFL checks for 17 years. Landry, who went to UMass, did steer the Lions into the playoffs once — in 1970 — and made the 1971 Pro Bowl. Unfortunately Detroit lost 5-0 to Dallas and did not return to the postseason during Landry's remaining eight seasons there. He retired as Jim McMahon's backup with the Bears.

Another Packers pick, and another non-Vince Lombardi draft choice, Ringo was one of Gene Ronzani's final draft choices, but that decision with a seventh-round selection in 1953 paid dividends well into Lombardi's regime. A primary driver of the Jim Taylor-Paul Hornung rushing attack, Ringo was a 10-time Pro Bowler who won two NFL championships. The Eagles gave the Packers starting linebacker Lee Roy Caffey and a first-round pick for Ringo in a 1964 trade, and the center made his final three Pro Bowls in Philadelphia. 

A touchdown machine, McDonald made one of the biggest plays in Eagles history. His 35-yard TD catch in the 1960 NFL championship game helped the Eagles become the only team to beat Vince Lombardi's Packers in a title clash. A third-round converted running back pick out of Oklahoma, the New Mexican made six Pro Bowls and retired as the second-most prolific touchdown receiver in NFL history. (His 84 scores trailed only Don Hutson.) He surpassed 1,000 yards with two teams, the Rams being the second, and enjoyed a 12-year career — one he celebrated with a wildly entertaining Hall of Fame speech.

Gronkowski retired as arguably the greatest tight end ever. He was at least the most dominant, by a landslide, of the 2010s. A matchup nightmare for almost every snap of his career, Gronk changed the Patriots trajectory. Tom Brady owes much of the ageless aura he's cultivated to his boisterous tight end, whose four All-Pros outflank the quarterback's three. A 2010 second-round pick out of Arizona, the Buffalo-area native scored 65 touchdowns in his first six seasons. Gronk recovered from a 2016 back injury to return to All-Pro status in '17, and though diminished by injuries, he came through big in his final playoffs.  

George Allen was not big on young talent, but a previous Redskins regime gave him a nice head start with a prescient pick. Hanburger went to Washington as an 18th-round draft choice in 1965 and became one of the best players in team history. The Fort Bragg, North Carolina, native attended the University of North Carolina, becoming a full-time starter by 1966 and anchoring the Washington defense until his age-37 season in 1978. In between, the Hall of Fame outside linebacker earned four All-Pro nods and helped the Redskins to five playoff berths and Super Bowl VII.

The Lions took a chance on Retzlaff with a 22nd-round pick in 1953, but he did not end up making the team — fairly standard for 22nd-round protocol. However, the South Dakota State alumnus caught on with the Eagles and, surprisingly, emerged as one of the era's most consistent pass catchers. He of zero college receptions, the Ellendale, North Dakota-produced running back-turned-aerial weapon led the NFL with 56 catches in 1958 and surpassed 800 receiving yards four times. Retzlaff, a tight end later in his career, was part of the 1960 NFL champion Eagles and made five Pro Bowls by the time his 11-year run ended.

Landing as Ohio's representative is not easy work, but we are talking about a defining draft choice. The 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year, who was born in Cincinnati before his family moved to Virginia, Wilson gave the Seahawks a championship cheat code. His third-round salary allowed the Seahawks to fortify their roster, and it resulted in a Super Bowl romp and another would-be title. Now that most of those Super Bowl bastions are gone, the Seahawks belong to Wilson. Already the most successful QB in team history, Wilson dropped a 66-12 TD-INT ratio from 2018-19 and led Seattle to two more playoff berths.

Another Seahawks centerpiece, Largent beat the odds to become a first-ballot Hall of Famer out of the fourth round. A Tulsa native who went on to play for his hometown university, Largent joined the expansion Seahawks in 1976 but did so after the Oilers made a brutally ill-fated trade — dealing Largent for an eighth-round pick four months after drafting him. Fourteen years later, he held every major NFL receiving record. The crafty 5-foot-11 playmaker's 100 touchdowns broke Don Hutson's mark, which had stood since 1945. Largent was an essential part of Chuck Knox's 1980s teams, which secured five playoff berths. 

It took until Shannon Sharpe in 2003 to break Smith's record for touchdowns by a tight end. The Redskins pass catcher totaled 60 touchdown catches by 1976, his penultimate season. A ninth-round pick out of Arizona State in 1965, the Eugene, Oregon, native joined a stellar receiving corps that featured Hall of Famers Bobby Mitchell and Charley Taylor. Smith's 12 receiving TDs in 1967 remain tied for the franchise's single-season record 52 years later.

Round-wise, this would go to Johnny Unitas, but the Steelers drafted him and cut him before his first season. Dan Marino also hails from Pennsylvania and slid in 1983, but Bill Walsh's 1979 third-round pick gets the nod. Montana has a claim in the greatest-quarterback-ever distinction. The New Eagle, Pennsylvania, native ignited Walsh's West Coast offense and catalyzed a dynasty. The four-time Super Bowl champ, in a loaded NFC era, is responsible for some of the NFL's greatest moments and quarterbacked two all-time teams (in 1984 and '89). Helping his case: lifting the 1993 Chiefs to the AFC title game after two injury-erased seasons.

Philbin chose the AFL's Jets over the NFL's Lions in 1964, when both teams used third-round picks on him. The defensive end from Pawtucket became one of the upstart league's best players — one who helped steer the Jets to the 1968 AFL championship and the biggest upset in Super Bowl history. Philbin's Jets forced five Colts turnovers in Super Bowl III and gave up only a meaningless fourth-quarter touchdown. The Buffalo University alumnus ended his career after 10 Jets seasons in 1973.

The Raiders' 1970s offensive lines must be included when discussing the greatest front fives ever. For a three-year period, when right tackle Bob Brown was on the team, Oakland housed four Hall of Famers on its front. Al Davis and Co. nailed their third-round pick (No. 80 overall) of the 1968 AFL-NFL Draft. Out of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Shell played 15 seasons and served as the Raiders left tackle starter from Daryle Lamonica's time until Jim Plunkett's. A 6-foot-5 blocker, Shell was part of two Raiders Super Bowl teams, ending his career as an eight-time Pro Bowler.

One of the greatest offenses in NFL annals featured fourth- and fifth-round quarterbacks piloting it. The 1950 Rams used both Bob Waterfield (Round 5, 1942) and Van Brocklin (Round 4, 1949) during their record-breaking season and turned to the younger passer for most of the '50s. Out of Eagle Butte, South Dakota, Van Brocklin helped the 1950 Rams set a still-standing scoring record (38.8 points per game) and then aided them to the '51 title. The Oregon alumnus made nine Pro Bowls and delivered maybe the NFL's best walk-off, winning the 1960 MVP Award as an Eagle and guiding Philly past the Packers for a league championship. 

Making one of the most stable investments in NFL history, the Browns turned a seventh-round pick into a 15-year starter. They selected the Trenton, Tennessee, native in 1957 and from 1959-73 stationed him at guard. Hickerson was there for most of Jim Brown's legendary career and all of Leroy Kelly's, helping both backs to the Hall of Fame. An Ole Miss alumnus, Hickerson was part of Cleveland's 1964 NFL championship and gained entry to the Hall of Fame himself by making six straight Pro Bowls — all past age 30 — during one of the best periods in Browns history.

Perhaps football's signature state, Texas has seen better players start there, but it's hard to find a superior draft pick. The 1954 NFL Draft featured 30 rounds and 360 selections. Just one — pick No. 232 — made the Hall of Fame. A 20th-round choice, Berry became Johnny Unitas' top target for over a decade. Beginning his career at Division III Schreiner College before making his way to SMU, Berry made six Pro Bowls — during the Colts' NFL heyday — and produced one of the all-time championship performances. His line in "The Greatest Game Ever Played": 12 catches, 178 yards, one touchdown.

Sometimes it needs to be recognized when a team nails a high-stakes pick. Olsen did not sneak up on anyone, the Utah State standout winning the Outland Trophy and being 1962's No. 3 overall pick. Simply, Olsen is one of the NFL's greatest players. His 14 Pro Bowls (in 15 seasons) are still an NFL record. The dominant defensive tackle teamed with Deacon Jones to spearhead one of the best defensive lines in NFL history, and although Olsen did not play in a championship game or Super Bowl, it is difficult to achieve more in a career.

While Wisniewski was one of the best blockers of the 1990s, Vermont producing only 10 NFLers — just two who started in multiple seasons — meant he had this sewn up early. Jimmy Johnson made the Penn State guard a second-round pick in his first Dallas draft (1989) but traded him for a Daryl Johnston-fronted picks package soon after. With the Raiders, Wisniewski made eight Pro Bowls and started for 13 seasons. He was present for many Bo Jackson highlights and anchored the Raiders line until his final game — the "Tuck Rule" night.

One of the forefathers of the left tackle position, Brown is an all-time draft steal. There is no way a talent like this could fall through the cracks today, but in 1953 the Giants nabbed their 13-year, left-edge rock in the 27th round. A Morgan State product out of Charlottesville, Brown was perhaps the best player on the Giants teams that dominated the Eastern Conference for nearly a decade. All six of Brown's All-Pro honors came during New York's run of championship appearances. He anchored the Frank Gifford- and, later, Y.A. Tittle-led offenses and was part of the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team. 

The Broncos have many draft success stories. Shannon Sharpe and Terrell Davis stand out, but the team's best long-odds discovery may have come in 1983. Taken 309 spots after John Elway that year, Mecklenburg served as one of the famed quarterback's right-hand men for most of his career. The Broncos deployed the 12th-round pick all over their front seven, the linebacker-lineman making six Pro Bowls. Despite being listed as an inside 'backer, the Seattle native-turned-Minnesota Golden Gopher reeled off 79 NFL sacks. Mecklenburg may be a senior Hall of Fame candidate one day.

While multiple non-first-rounders became Hall of Famers out of West Virginia, the Vikings stopping Moss' slide in 1998 earns the state's nod. Probably the most talented wideout ever, Moss made an instant impact in the NFL. Off-field issues pushed the 6-foot-4 superstar to Minnesota at No. 21, and the Marshall phenom transformed the Vikings. No way do they sniff a 15-1 season and the '98 NFC title game without Moss' 17 touchdowns. While he could not make it work long term in the Twin Cities, Moss later changed Tom Brady's trajectory in New England. 

The Steelers' 1974 draft haul remains otherworldly. They landed four Hall of Famers and cemented the core of their dynasty. The last of those picks was still a Steeler after Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert and John Stallworth retired. A fifth-round pick, Webster played 17 seasons — 15 in Pittsburgh — and became one of the NFL's premier centers. The Hall of Famer out of Tomahawk, Wisconsin, anchored Steelers lines that allowed for Swann's, Stallworth's, Franco Harris' and Terry Bradshaw's success. Webster, tragically, is also remembered for battling CTE and dying at age 50.

The next wave of Steelers Super Bowl titles came when Keisel held down a key spot on their defensive lines. The Greybull, Wyoming, native made his way to BYU and left his mark on the Steelers in a 13-year career. During Keisel's time as a defensive end in Dick LeBeau's 3-4 scheme, the Steelers made three Super Bowl appearances and won two titles. Keisel joined Troy Polamalu in retiring after the 2014 season, and the Steelers have been an offensively oriented team since.