List of Pittsburgh Steelers first - round Draft picks - wikipedia List of Pittsburgh Steelers first - round Draft picks Byron `` Whizzer '' White was selected fourth overall in the 1938 draft -- he went on to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. The Pittsburgh Steelers, a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, participated in the first NFL Draft prior to the 1936 season. The franchise changed its name to the Steelers prior to the 1940 season, to represent the city 's heritage of producing steel. The event, which is officially known as the `` Player Selection Meeting '', is held each April. The draft is used as the primary means to distribute newly available talent ( primarily from college football ) equitably amongst the teams. Selections are made in reverse order based on the previous season 's record, i.e. the club with the worst record from the previous season selects first. Through 2009, only two exceptions were made to this order : the Super Bowl champion always selects last ( 32nd ), and the Super Bowl loser is awarded the penultimate ( 31st ) pick. Beginning in 2010, teams making the playoffs will be seeded in reverse order depending upon how far they advance. The draft consists of seven rounds. Teams have the option of trading selections for players, cash and / or other selections ( including future year selections ). Thus, it is not uncommon for a team 's actual draft pick to differ from their assigned draft pick, or for a team to have extra or no draft picks in any round due to these trades. The Steelers have traded away their first - round pick eight times ; they have had two first - round selections in two drafts. The Steelers ' first selection in the inaugural NFL draft was William Shakespeare, a halfback from Notre Dame. The Steelers have selected first overall three times, drafting Bill Dudley in 1942, Gary Glick in 1956 and Terry Bradshaw in 1970. The team has selected second overall once, and third overall four times. Through 2009, seven Steeler first - round picks have gone on to have playing careers deemed worthy of enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame : Dudley, Len Dawson, Joe Greene, Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Lynn Swann and Rod Woodson. The team 's most recent first - round selection was T.J. Watt, a linebacker from the University of Wisconsin. Contents 1 Key 2 Player selections 3 Notes 4 References 4.1 Specific 4.2 General Key = Admitted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame * = Selected number one overall † Indicates the player was selected for the Pro Bowl at any time in their career. Positions key Center CB Cornerback DB Defensive back DE Defensive end DL Defensive lineman DT Defensive tackle FB Fullback FS Free safety Guard HB Halfback Placekicker KR Kick returner LB Linebacker LS Long snapper OT Offensive tackle OL Offensive lineman NT Nose tackle Punter PR Punt returner QB Quarterback RB Running back Safety SS Strong safety TB Tailback TE Tight end WR Wide receiver Player selections 1954 first - round selection Johnny Lattner played only a single NFL season. Franco Harris caught the `` Immaculate Reception '' in the 1972 NFL Playoffs. Lynn Swann, drafted in 1974, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. Rod Woodson, drafted in 1987, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009. Alan Faneca ( center ) was a 5 - time All - Pro for the Steelers after being drafted in 1998. Troy Polamalu made the Pro Bowl six consecutive years from 2004 to 2009, and was Defensive Player of the Year in 2010. Drafted in 2004, Ben Roethlisberger became the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl in 2005 at the age of 23. Pittsburgh Steelers first - round draft picks Year Pick Player name Position College Notes 1936 Shakespeare, William William Shakespeare RB Notre Dame 1937 5 Basrak, Mike Mike Basrak RB Duquesne 1938 White, Byron Byron White RB Colorado 1939 99 -- ZZZ No pick ZZZ -- ZZZ -- 1940 Eakin, Kay Kay Eakin RB Arkansas 1941 99 -- ZZZ No pick ZZZ -- ZZZ -- 1942 Dudley, Bill Bill Dudley * † RB Virginia 1943 7 Daley, Bill Bill Daley FB Minnesota 1944 10 Podesto, Johnny Johnny Podesto RB St. Mary 's ( CA ) 1945 Duhart, Paul Paul Duhart RB Florida 1946 Blanchard, Doc Doc Blanchard FB Army 1947 5 Bechtol, Hub Hub Bechtol WR Texas 1948 9 Edwards, Dan Dan Edwards WR Georgia 1949 6 Gage, Bobby Bobby Gage RB Clemson 1950 8 Chandnois, Lynn Lynn Chandnois RB Michigan State 1951 9 Avinger, Butch Butch Avinger FB Alabama 1952 6 Modzelewski, Ed Ed Modzelewski FB Maryland 1953 5 Marchibroda, Ted Ted Marchibroda QB Detroit 1954 7 Lattner, Johnny Johnny Lattner RB Notre Dame 1955 6 Varrichione, Frank Frank Varrichione OT Notre Dame 1956 Glick, Gary Gary Glick * QB Colorado State 1956 5 Davis, Art Art Davis RB Mississippi State 1957 5 Dawson, Len Len Dawson † QB Purdue 1958 99 -- ZZZ No pick ZZZ -- ZZZ -- 1959 99 -- ZZZ No pick ZZZ -- ZZZ -- 1960 6 Spikes, Jack Jack Spikes FB Texas Christian 1961 99 -- ZZZ No pick ZZZ -- ZZZ -- 1962 5 Ferguson, Bob Bob Ferguson RB Ohio State 1963 99 -- ZZZ No pick ZZZ -- ZZZ -- 1964 10 Martha, Paul Paul Martha RB Pittsburgh 1965 99 -- ZZZ No pick ZZZ -- ZZZ -- 1966 Leftridge, Dick Dick Leftridge RB WVU 1967 99 -- ZZZ No pick ZZZ -- ZZZ -- 1968 10 Taylor, Mike Mike Taylor OT USC 1969 Greene, Joe Joe Greene † DT North Texas 1970 Bradshaw, Terry Terry Bradshaw * † QB Louisiana Tech 1971 8 Lewis, Frank Frank Lewis WR Grambling 1972 13 Harris, Franco Franco Harris † RB Penn State 1973 24 Thomas, J.T. J.T. Thomas DB Florida State 21 Swann, Lynn Lynn Swann † WR USC 26 Brown, Dave Dave Brown DB Michigan 1976 28 Cunningham, Bennie Bennie Cunningham TE Clemson 1977 21 Cole, Robin Robin Cole LB New Mexico 1978 22 Johnson, Ron Ron Johnson DB Eastern Michigan 1979 28 Hawthorne, Greg Greg Hawthorne RB Baylor 1980 28 Malone, Mark Mark Malone QB Arizona State 1981 17 Gary, Keith Keith Gary DE Oklahoma 1982 12 Abercrombie, Walter Walter Abercrombie RB Baylor 21 Rivera, Gabriel Gabriel Rivera DE Texas Tech 1984 23 Lipps, Louis Louis Lipps WR Southern Mississippi 1985 20 Sims, Darryl Darryl Sims DE Wisconsin 1986 9 Rienstra, John John Rienstra Temple 10 Woodson, Rod Rod Woodson † DB Purdue 1988 18 Jones, Aaron Aaron Jones DE Eastern Kentucky 1989 7 Worley, Tim Tim Worley RB Georgia 1989 24 Ricketts, Tom Tom Ricketts OT Pittsburgh 1990 21 Green, Eric Eric Green TE Liberty 1991 15 Richardson, Huey Huey Richardson DE Florida 1992 11 Searcy, Leon Leon Searcy OT Miami 1993 23 Figures, Deon Deon Figures DB Colorado 1994 17 Johnson, Charles Charles Johnson WR Colorado 1995 27 Bruener, Mark Mark Bruener TE Washington 29 Stephens, Jamain Jamain Stephens OT North Carolina A&T 1997 24 Scott, Chad Chad Scott DB Maryland 1998 26 Faneca, Alan Alan Faneca LSU 1999 13 Edwards, Troy Troy Edwards WR Louisiana Tech 2000 8 Burress, Plaxico Plaxico Burress WR Michigan State 2001 19 Hampton, Casey Casey Hampton DT Texas 2002 30 Simmons, Kendall Kendall Simmons Auburn 2003 16 Polamalu, Troy Troy Polamalu DB USC 11 Roethlisberger, Ben Ben Roethlisberger QB Miami ( OH ) 2005 30 Miller, Heath Heath Miller TE Virginia 2006 25 Holmes, Santonio Santonio Holmes WR Ohio State 2007 15 Timmons, Lawrence Lawrence Timmons LB Florida State 2008 23 Mendenhall, Rashard Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois 2009 32 Hood, Evander Evander Hood DT Missouri 18 Pouncey, Maurkice Maurkice Pouncey Florida 2011 31 Heyward, Cameron Cameron Heyward DE Ohio State 2012 24 Decastro, David David DeCastro Stanford 2013 17 Jones, Jarvis Jarvis Jones LB Georgia 2014 15 Shazier, Ryan Ryan Shazier LB Ohio State 2015 22 Dupree, Bud Bud Dupree LB Kentucky 2016 25 Burns, Artie Artie Burns CB Miami 2017 30 Watt, T.J. T.J. Watt LB Wisconsin Notes The Steelers traded their 1939 pick ( 2nd overall ) to the Chicago Bears. The Steelers traded their 1941 pick ( 3rd overall ) to the Chicago Bears ( 3rd overall ) This was a lottery bonus pick. The Steelers traded their 1958 pick ( 8th overall ) to the San Francisco 49ers. The Steelers traded their 1959 pick ( 8th overall ) to the San Francisco 49ers. The Steelers traded their 1961 pick ( 6th overall ) to the San Francisco 49ers. The Steelers traded their 1963 pick ( 11th overall ) to the Chicago Bears. The Steelers traded their 1965 pick ( 3rd overall ) to the Chicago Bears. The Steelers traded their 1967 pick ( 9th overall ) to the Green Bay Packers. The Steelers acquired the 1989 pick ( 24th overall ) from the Minnesota Vikings. The Steelers traded their 1990 pick ( 17th overall ) to the Dallas Cowboys for Dallas ' 1990 pick ( 21st overall, obtained from Minnesota Vikings ) and a third - round pick ( 82nd overall, obtained from San Francisco 49ers ). The Steelers traded their 2001 pick ( 16th overall ) to the New York Jets for their first - round pick ( 19th overall ), their fourth - round pick ( 111th overall ) and their sixth - round pick ( 181st overall ). The Steelers traded their first - round pick ( 27th overall ), third round pick ( 92nd overall ) and sixth round pick ( 200th overall ) to obtain the 2003 pick ( 16th overall ). The Steelers obtained the 2006 pick from New York Giants by trading their first - round pick ( 32nd overall ), their third round pick ( 96th overall ) and their fourth round pick ( 129th overall ). References Specific Jump up ^ `` Steelers ' History '' ( PDF ). Pittsburgh Steelers. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on May 28, 2008. Retrieved April 27, 2008. Jump up ^ Branch, John ( April 9, 2000 ). `` The 2000 Liars Club / Draft makes Broncos coach cloak intentions ''. The Gazette ( Colorado Springs ). Archived from the original on October 23, 2007. Retrieved 2009 - 04 - 07. Jump up ^ Duffy, Mike ( March 26, 2009 ). `` New Draft Order, More Rule Changes ''. BaltimoreRavens.com. Retrieved 2009 - 04 - 07. Jump up ^ Alder, James. `` NFL Draft Basics : Determining Order of Selection ''. About.com. Retrieved May 26, 2008. ^ Jump up to : `` Steelers ' All Time Draft History '' ( PDF ). Pittsburgh Steelers. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on March 20, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Hall of Famers by Franchise ''. Pro Football Hall of Fame official Web site. Archived from the original on May 1, 2008. Retrieved May 28, 2008. Jump up ^ Associated Press ( June 12, 2006 ). `` Steelers Quarterback Roethlisberger Seriously Injured in Motorcycle Crash ''. Fox News. Retrieved July 10, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Pro Football Draft History : 1939 ''. Pro Football Hall of Fame official Web site. Retrieved 2008 - 07 - 04. Jump up ^ `` Pro Football Draft History : 1941 ''. Pro Football Hall of Fame official Web site. Retrieved 2008 - 07 - 04. Jump up ^ `` Pro Football Draft History : 1956 ''. Pro Football Hall of Fame official Web site. Retrieved 2008 - 07 - 04. Jump up ^ `` Pro Football Draft History : 1958 ''. Pro Football Hall of Fame official Web site. Retrieved 2008 - 07 - 04. Jump up ^ `` Pro Football Draft History : 1959 ''. Pro Football Hall of Fame official Web site. Retrieved 2008 - 07 - 04. Jump up ^ `` Pro Football Draft History : 1961 ''. Pro Football Hall of Fame official Web site. Retrieved 2008 - 07 - 04. Jump up ^ `` Pro Football Draft History : 1963 ''. Pro Football Hall of Fame official Web site. Retrieved 2008 - 07 - 04. Jump up ^ `` Pro Football Draft History : 1965 ''. Pro Football Hall of Fame official Web site. Retrieved 2008 - 07 - 04. Jump up ^ `` Pro Football Draft History : 1967 ''. Pro Football Hall of Fame official Web site. Retrieved 2008 - 07 - 04. Jump up ^ `` Pro Football Draft History : 1989 ''. Pro Football Hall of Fame official Web site. Retrieved 2008 - 07 - 04. Jump up ^ `` 2001 NFL Draft weekend trades ''. cnnsi.com. CNN. Retrieved May 5, 2007. Jump up ^ `` 2003 NFL Draft trades ''. ESPN. Retrieved 2008 - 07 - 04. Jump up ^ `` 2006 NFL Draft Trader ''. ESPN. Retrieved 2008 - 07 - 04. General `` NFL Draft History : Full Draft -- by Team ''. NFL.com. Retrieved June 5, 2008. `` Steelers ' All Time Draft History '' ( PDF ). Pittsburgh Steelers. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on March 20, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2008. Pittsburgh Steelers Founded in 1933 Formerly the Pittsburgh Pirates ( 1933 -- 39 ) Based and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Franchise History All - Time Team Seasons Logos and uniforms Coaches Players Starting quarterbacks First - round draft picks Statistics Stadiums Home fields : Forbes Field Pitt Stadium Three Rivers Stadium Heinz Field Training facilities : Rooney Field Point Stadium UPMC Sportsplex Chuck Noll Field Culture Football in Western PA Rooney family Myron Cope Steeler Nation Terrible Towel Steel Curtain Evening Shade `` Right Here, Right Now '' `` Renegade '' `` Here We Go '' `` Black and Yellow '' YinzCam This Is Us Lore Steelers lore J.P. Rooneys Pennsylvania Keystoners `` Pennsylvania Polka '' Steagles Card - Pitt Steelerettes Immaculate Reception Black Sunday Fighting Back : The Rocky Bleier Story 1995 AFC Championship Game The Chief The 3 : 16 game Rivalries Baltimore Ravens Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Tennessee Titans Oakland Raiders Dallas Cowboys Philadelphia Eagles Media Broadcasters KDKA - TV WPCW - TV Root Sports Pittsburgh Charlie Batch Chris Hoke Bob Pompeani Radio Network WDVE - FM WBGG - AM Bill Hillgrove Tunch Ilkin Craig Wolfley Steelers figures in broadcasting Division championships ( 23 ) 1972 1976 1977 1978 1979 1984 1992 1994 1995 1997 2001 2002 2007 2008 2014 2016 2017 Conference championships ( 8 ) 1978 1979 1995 2005 2008 League championships ( 6 ) 1974 ( IX ) 1975 ( X ) 1978 ( XIII ) 1979 ( XIV ) 2005 ( XL ) 2008 ( XLIII ) Retired numbers 70 75 Hall of Fame members Players : Bettis Blount Bradshaw Butler Dawson Dudley Greene Ham Harris Johnson Lambert Layne Stallworth Stautner Swann Webster Woodson Coaches and administration : Bell Kiesling Noll Art Rooney Dan Rooney Current league affiliations League : National Football League Conference : American Football Conference Division : North Division Seasons ( 85 ) 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Championship seasons in bold Pittsburgh Pirates / Steelers first - round draft picks Shakespeare Basrak White Eakin Dudley Daley Podesto Duhart Blanchard Bechtol D. Edwards Gage Chandnois Avinger Modzelewski Marchibroda Lattner Varrichione Glick Davis Dawson Spikes Ferguson Martha Leftridge Taylor Greene Bradshaw Lewis Harris Thomas Swann Brown Cunningham Cole R. Johnson Hawthorne Malone Gary Abercrombie Rivera Lipps Sims Rienstra Woodson A. Jones Worley Ricketts Green Richardson Searcy Figures C. Johnson Bruener Stephens Scott Faneca T. Edwards Burress Hampton Simmons Polamalu Roethlisberger Miller Holmes Timmons Mendenhall Hood Pouncey Heyward DeCastro J. Jones Shazier Dupree Burns Watt Lists of NFL first - round draft picks by team American Football Conference AFC East AFC North AFC South AFC West Buffalo Bills Miami Dolphins New England Patriots New York Jets Baltimore Ravens Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Pittsburgh Steelers Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Tennessee Titans Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs Oakland Raiders Los Angeles Chargers National Football Conference NFC East NFC North NFC South NFC West Dallas Cowboys New York Giants Philadelphia Eagles Washington Redskins Chicago Bears Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Minnesota Vikings Atlanta Falcons Carolina Panthers New Orleans Saints Tampa Bay Buccaneers Arizona Cardinals Los Angeles Rams San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Defunct Teams Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Pittsburgh_Steelers_first-round_draft_picks&oldid=824754286 '' Categories : Lists of first - round draft picks by National Football League team Pittsburgh Steelers players Pittsburgh Steelers lists Hidden categories : Use mdy dates from September 2011 Articles with hCards Featured lists Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 9 February 2018, at 08 : 06. 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Question: who was the steelers first round draft pick
Answer: T. J. Watt