Have The Steelers Ever Held The Number One Overall Draft Pick?
It's a question that often pops up in conversations among football fans, especially as the NFL Draft approaches: Have the Steelers ever had the number one overall pick? For a team with such a storied past and a reputation for winning, it's a very interesting thought to consider. You know, like, does a team that's seen so much success truly ever find itself in the position to claim the very first selection in the entire draft? It's almost a puzzle, isn't it?
This query really gets at the heart of what it means for a team "to have" such a significant privilege. In the world of the NFL, as a matter of fact, "to have" that top pick means your team, well, it finished with the worst record the season before. It's a sort of entitlement, you see, that comes from a very tough year. So, the idea of the Steelers, a team known for their consistent performance, being in such a spot, is quite a topic for discussion.
We're going to explore this intriguing piece of Steelers history, digging into their draft past and seeing just how close they've come to possessing that coveted first selection. You'll also discover, in a way, why their history has unfolded the way it has when it comes to the draft order. This article will help you understand if the Pittsburgh Steelers have ever, indeed, had the number one overall pick, and what that might mean for their unique team identity.
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Table of Contents
- The Core Question: Have the Steelers Ever Held the Top Pick?
- Why the Steelers Have Never "Had" the First Overall Selection
- The Impact of Not "Having" a Number One Pick
- What Would It Take for the Steelers to "Have" a Number One Pick?
- People Also Ask About Steelers Draft History
- Looking Ahead
The Core Question: Have the Steelers Ever Held the Top Pick?
Understanding What It Means "To Have" a Number One Pick
When we talk about a team "having" the number one pick, it's pretty simple, actually. It means they possess the right to choose first among all the college players entering the NFL draft that year. This right, this privilege, is given to the team that, in some respects, performed the least well during the previous regular season. It's a way the league tries to create balance, allowing struggling teams to add truly impactful talent. So, to "have" that pick, you need to hold the worst record, more or less.
The verb "to have," as my text points out, often means "to hold or maintain as a possession, privilege, or entitlement." In this context, the number one pick is a valuable possession, an entitlement earned through a challenging season. It's a main verb usage, really, indicating ownership of that specific draft slot. For example, "The team has the first pick" means they own it, they possess it right now. It's a clear statement of their position.
This concept of "having" also extends to how teams use that pick. They "have" the opportunity to select a player who could, arguably, change the course of their franchise. It's not just about owning the pick, but about the potential it holds. The team that has this opportunity is often looking for a player who can really make a difference, someone who can help them turn things around.
A Look Back: The Steelers' Highest Draft Positions
Now, to directly answer the big question: No, the Pittsburgh Steelers have never had the number one overall pick in the NFL Draft. This might surprise some, given the league's long history, but it's a very true fact about the team. Their history, you know, just doesn't include that particular achievement.
However, they have come quite close on a couple of occasions, which is worth noting. The highest the Steelers have ever picked in the NFL Draft is second overall. This happened twice, actually. The first time was in 1957, when they selected quarterback Len Dawson. He went on to have a Hall of Fame career, though mostly with the Kansas City Chiefs after leaving Pittsburgh.
The second instance of picking second overall came in 1969. This pick, arguably, was far more significant for the franchise's future. With that second selection, the Steelers chose defensive tackle Joe Greene from North Texas. Greene, affectionately known as "Mean Joe," became the cornerstone of the legendary "Steel Curtain" defense, leading the team to four Super Bowl victories in the 1970s. He's a pretty big deal in team lore, you know.
Beyond those two instances, the Steelers have, in fact, had several other high draft picks throughout their existence. For example, in 1970, they picked Terry Bradshaw at number one, but that was the first pick of the first round, not the number one overall pick in the entire draft, as the NFL-AFL merger draft had a different structure that year. They've picked in the top 10 a number of times, too, often finding key players like Jack Ham (2nd round, 1971), Franco Harris (1st round, 1972), and Ben Roethlisberger (1st round, 2004), though none of those were the very first selection.
Why the Steelers Have Never "Had" the First Overall Selection
The Link Between Losing and the Top Pick
The NFL Draft order, as we know, is designed to help the teams that struggle the most. The team with the worst regular season record gets the first overall pick. This system is in place to promote competitive balance across the league. So, to "have" the number one pick, a team literally needs to be the least successful team from the previous year. It's a direct consequence, you see, of losing more games than anyone else.
This means that for a team to earn that top spot, they would have had to experience a truly dismal season. We're talking about a year where they just couldn't seem to win, often due to a lack of talent, injuries, or sometimes, just plain bad luck. It's a tough position for any franchise to be in, but it does come with the significant consolation of getting the first choice in the draft.
The Steelers, throughout their history, have, in a way, managed to avoid this particular fate. They've had down years, absolutely, but they have rarely, if ever, sunk to the very bottom of the league standings. This consistent ability to avoid being the absolute worst team is the primary reason they've never had the number one overall pick.
A Legacy of Consistent Performance
The Steelers organization has, for a very long time, been known for its stability and, quite frankly, its winning culture. From the Chuck Noll era in the 1970s through Bill Cowher's tenure and into Mike Tomlin's time as head coach, the team has consistently found ways to compete. This consistency means they typically don't finish with the kind of abysmal record that would grant them the top draft slot.
Even in seasons where they might miss the playoffs, the Steelers usually manage to string together enough wins to stay out of the bottom tier of the league. This is a testament to their organizational philosophy, which prioritizes strong coaching, smart player development, and a clear identity. They tend to avoid, you know, the total collapse that some teams experience.
This tradition of avoiding outright losing seasons means that while they've had high picks, they've just never "had" the highest. It's a unique aspect of their history, setting them apart from many other long-standing NFL franchises that have, at some point, endured a season bad enough to earn the number one selection. This consistent performance is, arguably, a hallmark of the Steelers.
The Impact of Not "Having" a Number One Pick
Missing Out on Generational Talent
Not having the number one pick means, by definition, that you miss out on the chance to select the player widely considered the best in that particular draft class. These players are often quarterbacks, edge rushers, or offensive linemen who are seen as generational talents, capable of transforming a franchise. Think about players like Peyton Manning, Myles Garrett, or Trevor Lawrence; they were all top overall selections.
For the Steelers, this means they've had to build their roster through other means. They haven't had the luxury of simply picking the consensus top player and plugging him into their team. This requires a very strong scouting department and coaching staff to identify talent later in the draft or to develop players who might not have been highly touted. It's a different kind of challenge, you see.
While they've certainly found incredible talent without the top pick – just look at Joe Greene, as we discussed, or even Ben Roethlisberger who was a mid-first-round pick – it does mean they've never had that specific, highly anticipated opportunity. It's a trade-off, really: consistent winning versus the chance at that one truly special, can't-miss prospect.
Building Through Different Means
Since the Steelers have never "had" the number one overall pick, their team-building strategy has always leaned heavily on other approaches. They've excelled at identifying talent in the middle and later rounds of the draft, a skill that's, in a way, become a signature of the organization. They often find diamonds in the rough, or players who fit their specific system perfectly.
This strategy also involves strong player development. Many Steelers legends weren't top-five picks; they were players who grew and improved within the team's system. This approach fosters a sense of loyalty and continuity, as players often spend their entire careers with the team. It's a testament to their coaching and player retention efforts, which are pretty important.
Furthermore, the Steelers have historically been a team that values continuity in coaching and front office personnel. This stability allows for a consistent vision for team building, year after year, without the drastic swings that often accompany teams frequently picking at the very top of the draft. It's a deliberate choice, arguably, to maintain a certain level of competitiveness rather than chasing the highest draft capital.
What Would It Take for the Steelers to "Have" a Number One Pick?
For the Pittsburgh Steelers to ever "have" the number one overall pick, it would require a truly unprecedented downturn in their performance. They would need to finish a regular season with the absolute worst record in the entire National Football League. This means winning fewer games than any other team, which, for a franchise like the Steelers, is a very rare occurrence.
Such a scenario would likely involve a perfect storm of challenges: significant injuries to key players, a complete collapse in team chemistry, or perhaps a transitional period with a new coaching staff and a roster undergoing a massive overhaul. We're talking about a season where, basically, everything goes wrong. It's a pretty stark picture to imagine, given their history.
As of late 2023 and early 2024, the Steelers continue to be a competitive team, often hovering around a .500 record or better, even in challenging seasons. This consistent performance means that getting the number one pick remains a very distant possibility. Fans, you know, usually hope for wins, not losses, so this is a spot they probably never want to be in, despite the potential draft rewards.
People Also Ask About Steelers Draft History
Have the Steelers ever picked in the top 5?
Yes, the Steelers have, in fact, picked within the top five of the NFL Draft multiple times. As mentioned earlier, their highest selections were at the second overall spot in both 1957 (Len Dawson) and 1969 (Joe Greene). They've also had other picks within the top five, though these are the most prominent examples. It's a different thing, you know, than being the very first team to choose.
Who was the Steelers' first-ever draft pick?
The very first draft pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers, then known as the Pittsburgh Pirates, was in the inaugural NFL Draft of 1936. They selected William Shakespeare, a halfback from Notre Dame, with the third overall pick. Yes, that was his actual name! It's a pretty famous piece of trivia, really, in team history.
How is the NFL draft order determined?
The NFL draft order is determined primarily by the previous season's standings. The team with the worst regular season record gets the first overall pick. The second-worst record gets the second pick, and so on, for the teams that did not make the playoffs. For playoff teams, their draft position is determined by how far they advanced in the postseason, with earlier exits picking higher. So, it's all about, you know, where you finish. You can learn more about how draft picks are assigned on our site, and also explore more about the history of the NFL Draft process.
Looking Ahead
The Steelers' history of never "having" the number one overall pick is, in a way, a defining characteristic of the franchise. It speaks to a long-standing commitment to competitive football and a consistent ability to avoid the kind of losing seasons that would grant them that top selection. It's a unique aspect of their journey, distinguishing them from many other teams that have, at some point, rebuilt from the very bottom.
As the NFL continues to evolve, the Steelers remain dedicated to their foundational principles of building through the draft and developing talent. This approach has served them well for decades, allowing them to remain a relevant and respected franchise without ever needing to rely on the top pick to jumpstart a rebuild. It's pretty remarkable, when you think about it.
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D A R K S A Y I N G S: Happy Thanksgiving 2012
