Despite being the last of three picks for the Steelers on the second day of the 2017 NFL draft, James Conner became the biggest name called at the podium.
Conner is a local hero who showed great potential in his sophomore season at Pitt when he rushed for 1,765 yards on 298 carries for 26 touchdowns, but suffered the biggest setbacks one could be dealt when he had a season-ending knee injury in 2015 and then a battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma before returning to the field.
He then gained 1,092 yards on 216 carries while scoring 16 touchdowns in his junior year before declaring for the draft. His determination made him a hero to many and attracted the national spotlight despite not being in the same condition he was when he was one of the best running backs in the country before his injury.
The Steelers needed a running back to fill in the depth chart behind Le'Veon Bell and in front of Knile Davis, which made Conner the perfect pick.
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