By G.Stryker
SteelerNation.com
There are drafts when the Pittsburgh Steelers move, make trades, and acquire players. There are also times when they just barely miss out on players due to the moves of other teams. As we revisit different Steelers drafts, we will take a look inside into what made those moments both special and memorable.
Fresh off a Super Bowl win, the 2006 NFL Draft saw the Steelers picking dead last in the first round. Not expecting much during this draft, I settled in to enjoy it as a spectator. Then all of the sudden, the Steelers jumped up seven spots to grab the first wide receiver off the board, Santonio Holmes from Ohio State University. Santonio was the shifty, fast route runner, the Steelers coveted. To move up, the Steelers traded their 1st, 3rd, and 4th round picks.
The New York Giants ended up drafting defensive end, Mathias Kiwanuka, who would play for the Giants for 14 years and win two Super Bowl titles. The 3rd round pick was linebacker Gerris Wilkinson, who was a spot starter and depth for four seasons. The 4th round pick was offensive guard Guy Whimper where he enjoyed an eight-year career as a spot starter and oddly enough, played his final season in Pittsburgh. All of these players managed to win at least one Super Bowl with the Giants.
Holmes also earned a Super Bowl, though he was the focal point for that win. During the 2008 playoff run, Holmes had a big touchdown in each of the Steelers’ playoff games. In the Super Bowl, when the stage was as large as it could be, Santonio shined. He collected nine passes for 131 yards and the game winning touchdown with 35 seconds left in the game. For his efforts, he was awarded the Super Bowl MVP, and honestly, without Holmes, the Steelers do not win the Super Bowl, let alone make it there.
Unfortunately, Holmes' promise was marred by substance abuse problems, and he never rose to become a Pro Bowl talent. The Steelers ended up trading him to the New York Jets after the following season for a 5th round pick in the 2010 draft. We will talk about the fate of that draft pick a little later in the week. Still, Holmes was a successful pick and was a key piece for the Steelers earning their 6th Super Bowl trophy. A memory of an exciting end to a football game that will forever be seared in the brains of Steeler Nation fans for eternity.
Do you think the Steelers made the right call in moving up to draft Santonio Homes? Leave your thoughts below.
#SteelerNation
