There are some draft picks who have such an influence right off the bat that they can even help sway their team toward drafting some of their former college teammates. The Pittsburgh Steelers were willing to heed the advice of center Maurkice Pouncey, their 2010 first-round Pro Bowl center, after his excellent rookie season.
They would go on to draft his close friend and fellow Gator starting offensive lineman, Marcus Gilbert, in the second round in 2011. Gilbert would spend the next eight seasons, more or less, as the Steelers’ starting right tackle.