With The First Pick
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Pittsburgh Steelers: Best Draft Picks of the 2010’s

By Kris Rogers

Dec 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) returns a punt past Denver Broncos long snapper Aaron Brewer (46) and defensive back Josh Bush (20) during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) returns a punt past Denver Broncos long snapper Aaron Brewer (46) and defensive back Josh Bush (20) during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) catches a nine yard touchdown pass behind Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (25) during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) catches a nine yard touchdown pass behind Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (25) during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Antonio Brown

Draft Pick: 2010 Round 6, Pick 195

Who didn’t see this one coming?

Picked with the Steelers’ second sixth-round pick out of Central Michigan in 2010, Antonio Brown had been a solid contributor and a special teams ace through his first few seasons in the NFL, including two catches in the playoffs to clinch victories over the Ravens and Jets to make it to Super Bowl XLV. In 2011, he was the first player to ever have over 1,000 receiving and 1,000 returning yards in a single season.

His production led the Steelers to bet on him signing him to a five-year, $42.5 million extension before the 2012 season; the same contract that had been offered to teammate Mike Wallace. It wasn’t until 2013 that Brown broke out, becoming the first player in NFL history to have 5+ receptions and 50+ yards in every game of the season, a feat he would match in 2014.

In 2015, Brown solidified his position as one of the best receivers in the NFL, if not the very best. On the season, Brown caught 136 passes (second all-time for a single season) for 1,834 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also returning one punt for a score. Brown also nabbed seven catches for 119 yards in the Steelers Wildcard victory over the Bengals, but a hit by Vontaze Burfict forced him out of the lineup with a concussion next week against the Broncos.

Antonio’s combination of production and clutch play compared to his draft position makes him easily the best Steelers draft pick of the 2010’s.

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