Pittsburgh Steelers compensatory draft pick history
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been awarded 36 compensatory draft picks in the 29 years that the NFL has been handing them out.
The team’s picks range from players who never saw NFL action (quarterback Spence Fischer and defensive tackle Ryan Olson, to name two) to players just on the cusp of the Hall of Fame (receiver Hines Ward), with plenty of NFL starters in between.
Teams receive compensatory picks based on a complex formula that calculates the values of free agents lost and signed.
The Steelers were not awarded any compensatory picks for the 2023 or 2024 NFL drafts.
In the 2022 draft, the Steelers had one compensatory pick: the 33rd pick of the fourth round, which would be the 138th overall. The Steelers selected Memphis wide receiver Calvin Austin III.
Here’s a look at every player the Steelers have drafted using compensatory draft picks:
2022: Memphis wide receiver Calvin Austin III, fourth round, 138th overall
2021: Texas A&M linebacker Buddy Johnson, fourth round, 140th overall
2020: Charlotte linebacker Alex Highsmith, third round, 102nd overall
2017: Pitt running back James Conner, third round, 105th overall
2016: Washington linebacker Travis Feeney, sixth round, 220th overall
2015: Miami linebacker Anthony Chickillo, sixth round, 212th overall
2014: Kent State running back Dri Archer, third round, 97th overall
2014: Vanderbilt tackle Wesley Johnson, fifth round, 173rd overall
2014: Tennessee defensive tackle Daniel McCullers, sixth round, 215th overall
2013: Florida State linebacker Vince Williams, sixth round, 206th overall
2012: Oregon tight end David Paulson, seventh round, 240th overall
2012: Texas A&M cornerback Terrence Frederick, seventh round, 246th overall
2012: Southern Methodist tackle Kelvin Beachum, seventh round, 248th overall
2010: Clemson cornerback Crezdon Butler, fifth round, 164th overall
2010: Utah linebacker Stevenson Sylvester, fifth round, 166th overall
2010: Ohio State defensive end Doug Worthington, seventh round, 242nd overall
2009: UNLV running back Frank Summers, fifth round, 169th overall
2007: Oklahoma State defensive end Ryan McBean, fourth round, 132nd overall
2007: Louisville cornerback William Gay, fifth round, 170th overall
2006: Hofstra tackle Willie Colon, fourth round, 131st overall
2006: Miami defensive tackle Orien Harris, fourth round, 133rd overall
2006: Purdue tight end Charles Davis, fifth round, 167th overall
2002: Cincinnati cornerback LaVar Glover, seventh round, 212th overall
2000: Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin, fifth round, 163rd overall
2000: Kent State tight end Jason Gavadza, sixth round, 204th overall
1999: West Virginia running back Amos Zereoue, third round, 95th overall
1999: Notre Dame receiver Malcolm Johnson, fifth round, 166th overall
1998: Georgia receiver Hines Ward, third round, 92nd overall
1998: N.C. State running back Carlos King, fourth round, 123rd overall
1998: Colorado defensive tackle Ryan Olson, sixth round, 186th overall
1998: Southeast Missouri State defensive end Angel Rubio, seventh round, 221st overall
1997: Ohio State defensive end Mike Vrabel, third round, 91st overall
1997: Oklahoma defensive end Rod Manuel, sixth round, 199th overall
1996: Fresno State receiver Jahine Arnold, fourth round, 132nd overall
1996: Duke quarterback Spence Fischer, sixth round, 203rd overall
1995: USC kicker Cole Ford, seventh round, 247th overall
Mike Palm is a TribLive digital producer who also writes music reviews and features. A Westmoreland County native, he joined the Trib in 2001, where he spent years on the sports copy desk, including serving as night sports editor. He has been with the multimedia staff since 2013. He can be reached at mpalm@triblive.com.
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