Revisiting The 1974 Steelers Draft Class That Landed Them 5 Hall of Famers

After safety Donnie Shell was announced as a Hall of Famer in the 2020 Class, the legendary 1974 Pittsburgh Steelers draft class, regarded unanimously as the greatest in NFL history, now has FIVE Hall of Famers, as Shell will join Mike Webster, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, and Lynn Swann in Canton.

Brought in as an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina State, Shell was one of the most vicious safeties who ever played the game, pairing considering power with great ball skills. He made five Pro Bowls while intercepting 51 passes in a 14-year career.

While Swann's numbers don't scream Hall of Fame (61 catches, 880 yards, 11 touchdowns are his personal bests in a nine-year career), the former USC star came through time and time again in the postseason, as his acrobatic catch in Super Bowl X remains one of the most memorable moments in NFL history.

Stallworth, a former Alabama A&M star, was one of the best deep threat receivers in NFL history. He retired with four championships, 8,723 yards, and 63 touchdowns to his name.

Picked in the second round out of Kent State, Lambert's toothless grin and legendary toughness were trademarks of the famed "Steel Curtain" defense. The 6-4 Lambert became one of the best linebackers of all time, as he made nine Pro Bowls and eight All-Pro teams (six First Team) while leading the Steelers defense for a decade.

Webster is considered by many to be the greatest center who ever played the game. While his struggles with CTE and death in 2002 at age 50 are well known, that doesn't erase the former Wisconsin star's nine Pro Bowls or seven All-Pro selections.

Landing one Hall of Famer in the offseason is pretty darn good, but FIVE? Simply unreal.