Counting Down the Top Western Pennsylvania Football Players Selected in the NFL Draft
The city of Pittsburgh is gearing up for a significant event in the American football calendar – the 2026 NFL Draft. Not only is Pittsburgh a candidate city to host this prestigious event, but it also boasts a rich history of producing NFL-bound talent.
The KDKA-TV Sports team is set to honour this tradition by counting down the top 52 players from the Pittsburgh area who have been selected in the NFL Draft. This countdown will start in late April 2025 and run until the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
The countdown will showcase the notable talent from Western Pennsylvania in American football, featuring players ranging from star players to journeymen special teamers. It will highlight the success stories of players from the Pittsburgh area in the NFL, including those who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame and those who have become Super Bowl Champions.
Pittsburgh's football legacy is evident in the number of key Steelers draft picks who have made a significant impact in the league. Terry Bradshaw, the first overall pick in 1970, is a Hall of Fame quarterback who played a crucial role in multiple Super Bowl wins. "Mean" Joe Greene, the fourth overall pick in 1969, was a cornerstone of the Steel Curtain defense, one of the most feared defenses in NFL history.
The Steelers have continued to leverage the draft well, incorporating late-round steals such as Chris Kemeatu, a sixth-round pick in 2005 who started over 50 games for the team. The Steelers have also made active offseason moves, including acquiring Aaron Rodgers in 2025, a move that was ranked among the top NFL offseason acquisitions.
The countdown presented by UPMC will offer a comprehensive ranking of the top 52 players drafted out of the Pittsburgh area, reflecting the area's strong football talent pipeline. This list will emphasise the rich football heritage and consistent development of NFL-caliber talent from this region.
In addition, the countdown will place the Pittsburgh Steelers’ selections in a historical context, with a broader ranking of all No. 1 overall NFL Draft picks. This will provide a fascinating insight into the legacy of the Pittsburgh area in the NFL.
As the countdown approaches, football fans in Pittsburgh and beyond can look forward to celebrating the city's rich NFL history and the promising talent that is yet to come. The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh is set to be a memorable event, honouring the city's football legacy and looking forward to the future of American football.
The KDKA-TV Sports team will countdown the top 52 players from Pittsburgh who have been selected in the NFL Draft, highlighting the area's strong football talent pipeline and rich football heritage. This countdown will showcase a mix of star players to journeymen special teamers, emphasizing the success stories of players like Terry Bradshaw and "Mean" Joe Greene who have become Hall of Fame quarterbacks and Super Bowl Champions.
