Have The Steelers Ever Had A #1 Pick? Unpacking Pittsburgh's Top Draft Moments

Have the Steelers ever had a #1 pick? That's a question many football fans, particularly those who follow the storied Pittsburgh Steelers, often ponder. This team, known for its consistent success and a long history of finding talent, seems to always be in the thick of things, rarely at the very bottom of the standings where the top draft picks are typically found. It’s a bit of a puzzle for some, given their legendary status and the way they usually manage to stay competitive year after year.

The NFL Draft is, you know, a huge deal for every team. It’s where franchises try to build their future, bringing in fresh faces who can make a real difference on the field. For the Steelers, their approach to the draft has always been a fascinating study. They tend to make smart moves, often picking players who become cornerstones of their team for years and years.

So, does this history of solid drafting and consistent performance mean they've never been in a position to snag the first overall selection? The answer, as it turns out, is a bit more nuanced than a simple yes or no. It’s a pretty interesting part of their long and rich history, actually, and something worth looking into, especially as we think about how teams get built in today's game.

• Jp Sears Stats

Table of Contents

• Unraveling the Steelers' Draft History
• The Inaugural Pick and Early Days
• The Rare Top Spot: Three Times in History
• The Iconic 1970 Selection
• A Focus on Defensive Talent in Round 1
• Noteworthy Round 1 Picks Beyond Number One
• The 1974 Draft Class: Unmatched Success
• The Infamous 1939 Trade
• Frequently Asked Questions About Steelers' Draft Picks

Unraveling the Steelers' Draft History

When you look back at the Pittsburgh Steelers' long history, stretching all the way back to 1936, you see a team that has been through a lot of drafts. They were, you know, originally known as the Pittsburgh Pirates, a professional American football team based right there in Pittsburgh. Their performance in April, during those draft days, has shaped so much of what the team has become over the decades. It's a pretty big part of their story, really, how they’ve managed to stay relevant and competitive for so long.

The Inaugural Pick and Early Days

So, thinking about the very beginning, the Steelers' first selection in the inaugural NFL Draft was a player named William. This was a long time ago, obviously, when the league was just getting started. It’s a bit of a historical footnote, but it shows how far back their draft journey goes. They’ve been at this for nearly a century, picking players and trying to build something special.

Fast forward a little, and you find another interesting first overall pick in their past. There was a player named Bill Dudley, for instance, who was also a very early selection for the team. Then there's Len Dawson, a name that comes up in conversations about great players. But when it comes to the number one overall pick, a player named Ki Aldrich Glick holds a rather unique place. He had a decent career, but nothing truly spectacular to talk about, you know, for the ages. What makes Glick stand out, though, is that he remains the only defensive back ever chosen number one overall in the NFL Draft. That's a pretty cool piece of trivia, actually, and it shows how different the game was back then.

• Modi Trump

The Rare Top Spot: Three Times in History

The Pittsburgh Steelers picking first overall has been far less common than you might think, especially considering how long the team has been around. It hasn’t taken place for more than 50 years, which, you know, is a really long stretch of time in football. It means they’ve been consistently good enough to avoid those bottom-of-the-barrel seasons that typically land a team the top pick.

But it has happened, three times throughout their history, to be precise. The Steelers have had the first overall pick three times in the past 86 years. One of these picks, as you might guess, really stands out over the others. It’s a moment that truly changed the direction of the franchise, setting them up for a period of unmatched success. This particular selection is a story in itself, and it’s one that every Steelers fan knows well.

The Iconic 1970 Selection

The Steelers have not had the number one overall pick since the selection of Terry Bradshaw in 1970. That pick, you know, was a pretty big deal. Bradshaw went on to become a legendary quarterback, leading the team to multiple Super Bowl victories. His finest career moment isn't just the famous "Immaculate Reception" pass to Franco Harris, though that was certainly a huge play. It’s more about the overall impact he had on the franchise, helping to establish the Steelers as a dominant force in the league.

That 1970 draft, with Bradshaw at the top, was a turning point. It really helped set the stage for what was to come, bringing in a player who would become synonymous with Steelers football. It’s a moment that, you know, gets talked about a lot when people discuss the team’s history and how they built those championship rosters.

A Focus on Defensive Talent in Round 1

It seems that since Kevin Colbert joined the team, the Steelers have really focused on a particular type of player with their first pick. They have picked a defensive player 12 times with that initial selection, which is a significant trend. This focus on defense has been a big part of their strategy, you know, for quite some time now.

The team had picked defense in each of the last seven years leading up to a certain point, showing a consistent commitment to that side of the ball. This approach, you know, has been a focus ever since the 2024 season ended, indicating that it’s still a very active part of their thinking when it comes to building the team. They tend to look for players who can make an immediate impact on defense, which makes a lot of sense given their team identity.

Noteworthy Round 1 Picks Beyond Number One

While the number one overall pick is rare for the Steelers, they have a remarkable track record in the first round overall. Since 1968, Pittsburgh has only missed picking in Round 1 once, and that was in 2020. That's a pretty incredible streak of consistency, really, showing how often they are in a position to make an early selection. They often make the right call in Round 1 of the draft, finding players who contribute significantly.

For example, with the 18th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Maurkice Pouncey. He became a key player for them, a cornerstone of their offensive line for many years. Then there’s Heath Miller, who was known as 'Old Reliable' and quickly became Ben Roethlisberger's security blanket at tight end. These are just a couple of instances where the Steelers found immense talent outside of the very top spot, showing their ability to identify and build up players, which is a true testament to their scouting department.

This is no small task, as the organization has drafted many great players throughout its history. A complete list of all the selections made by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL Draft, along with each draft class sorted by year, shows a deep history of success. They take their swings, and more often than not, they hit big. It's a testament to their philosophy, you know, and how they approach bringing new talent into the fold.

The 1974 Draft Class: Unmatched Success

When you talk about the Steelers and the draft, you simply have to mention their 1974 draft class. It was, you know, their best ever, hands down. No other team has ever drafted four future Hall of Famers in one single year. That’s an absolutely incredible feat, something that likely won’t be replicated anytime soon, if ever. It just goes to show the kind of magic they had that year.

Only very few teams, including the 1970 Steelers who drafted two future Hall of Famers, have even come close to that level of success in a single draft. The 1974 class truly set the standard, providing the foundation for those legendary Super Bowl teams. It’s a shining example of how a team can be built through the draft, and it’s a story that still gets told with a lot of pride among Steelers fans.

The Infamous 1939 Trade

Not every draft moment is a highlight, though. Sometimes, teams make decisions that don't quite pan out, and the Steelers have had their share of those, too. For instance, they traded away their 1939 first-round pick. This is considered one of the most lopsided trades in NFL history, and the Steelers, you know, were definitely on the bad end of it.

The player they traded for, Ed Manske, was a good player, to be fair. But the value they gave up for him, that first-round pick, turned out to be far more significant. It’s a reminder that even the best organizations have moments they’d probably like to forget, especially when it comes to draft day decisions. It's a part of the history, though, and it shows that even with all their success, it's a very challenging process to get every pick right.

Looking at recent draft buzz, Derrick Harmon was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 21st overall pick in a hypothetical 2025 NFL Draft scenario. While the team has picked in this slot a few times in history, including fellow players, this particular mention refers to a mock draft. You can, for example, dive into a free mock draft simulator and run a mock by yourself or with friends to see how different scenarios play out. Learn more about PFSN's mock draft simulator on their site. This kind of simulation helps fans understand the complexities of draft strategy, which is pretty cool, actually.

Frequently Asked Questions About Steelers' Draft Picks

When people think about the Pittsburgh Steelers and their long, storied history, a few common questions often pop up, especially concerning their draft strategy and those rare top picks. Here are some of the things people often wonder about:

What is the Steelers' overall draft strategy?

The Steelers, you know, have a reputation for being pretty consistent in their draft strategy. They often make the right call in Round 1 of the draft, finding players who become key contributors. They tend to focus on building through the draft, and as of late, there’s been a significant lean towards defensive players with their first picks. They also really know how to identify talent and help players grow once they join the team, which is a big part of their long-term success. It’s a pretty reliable system, actually, that they’ve built over the years.

How often do the Steelers pick in the first round?

It's pretty rare for the Steelers to miss out on a first-round pick. Since 1968, for instance, Pittsburgh has only missed picking in Round 1 once, and that was in 2020. This means they’re almost always making a selection early in the draft, which is a sign of their consistent performance and their ability to keep their draft capital. It's a testament to how they manage their roster and trades, ensuring they usually have a pick in that important first round.

Who are some of the most famous players the Steelers drafted?

The Steelers have drafted many great players throughout their history, truly. Some of the most famous names include Terry Bradshaw, who was a number one overall pick and led them to multiple championships. Then there’s Franco Harris, a running back who was a huge part of their dynasty teams. Ben Roethlisberger, another legendary quarterback, spent his entire career with the team, racking up incredible stats like 5,440 completions on 8,443 attempts for 64,088 yards and 418 touchdowns. Heath Miller was also a fan favorite, known for his reliability. And of course, the 1974 draft class brought in four future Hall of Famers, which is, you know, just an incredible achievement in itself. This is a team that has a long list of truly iconic players, honestly, that they brought in through the draft process. You can learn more about Steelers draft history on our site, and link to this page here for general information.