Steelers' Heath Miller Had The Ravens Seriously Stressing Out On Draft Day

The Pittsburgh Steelers made an amazing choice when they selected tight end Heath Miller 30th overall in the 2005 NFL Draft. The standout from Virginia had slid down draft boards due to a back injury that kept him from participating in pre-draft workouts. While he didn’t drop drastically in terms of actual pick position, concerns about his health caused several teams to pass on him—something Pittsburgh ultimately capitalized on.

NFL Draft expert Daniel Jeremiah, who was a West Coast scout for the Baltimore Ravens at the time, remembers that draft vividly. He was in the Ravens’ war room and witnessed firsthand just how anxious the team became as Miller remained on the board. According to Jeremiah during his podcast 40s and Free Agents, former Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome was visibly stressed over the idea of Miller landing with the rival Steelers—especially with a rising star at quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger waiting to get a reliable target who could grow with him for over a decade.

As fate would have it, Newsome’s fears were completely justified. Miller ended up in Pittsburgh, where he formed an instant connection with Roethlisberger. The two would go on to win two Super Bowls together and dominate the AFC North for the next decade. For the Steelers, it was the perfect marriage of talent, fit, and timing—one that still has Ravens fans shaking their heads years later.

"I was in the Ravens' draft room," Jeremiah said. "Heath Miller had a back injury, so he couldn't run, and we're watching him slide down the board. Ozzie Newsome, really early, said, 'This guy is going to fall to the Steelers, isn't he? This guy is going to fall to the Steelers!'"

Miller’s legacy in Pittsburgh goes well beyond the numbers. Over 11 seasons, he appeared in 168 games, totaled 592 catches, 6,569 receiving yards, and scored 45 touchdowns. 

He made two Pro Bowls during that stretch, but his true value was in the consistency, toughness, and balance he brought to the Steelers’ offense. From the moment he was drafted, it was clear Pittsburgh had found the perfect fit.

"It was like, 'Oh my gosh, of course.' He was just a mauler, brawler, and he was perfect for the Steelers — had an unbelievable run," Jeremiah said.

Miller wasn’t just a safety valve for Roethlisberger—he was the heartbeat of the offense in critical moments. Whether it was converting a third-and-short, settling into a soft zone on a key drive, or throwing a punishing block to spring a running back free, Miller did the dirty work that didn’t always show up in the box score. 

His intelligence, toughness, and selfless play made him invaluable, and Roethlisberger often credited Miller as one of the most dependable teammates he ever had. Game after game, season after season, Miller quietly set the tone for how the Steelers played offensive football—physical, disciplined, and unshakably reliable.

Other teams let him slide on draft day due to medical concerns, but the Steelers saw past the injury and focused on the complete player. They saw a mature, polished tight end who fit perfectly into their system and culture. That foresight became a defining decision for the franchise, as Miller turned into not just a dependable target, but a leader in the locker room and a core piece of two championship teams. His presence helped shape an era of Steelers football built on toughness and execution, the kind of identity every franchise hopes to establish but few ever achieve.

Steelers Fans Will Forever Love Heath Miller

Jeremiah and Newsome both recognized the threat the moment Miller slipped to Pittsburgh. From inside the Ravens’ war room, they could feel the unease grow, understanding exactly what kind of damage Miller could do in black and gold. And they were right—because year after year, matchup after matchup, Miller made the little plays that broke their backs. Every crucial third-down catch, every perfectly sealed edge, every chain-moving reception was a painful reminder of what they feared most on draft night: Pittsburgh had landed the perfect player at the perfect time.

In the end, Miller didn’t just thrive in Pittsburgh—he embodied everything the Steelers stand for. Quiet excellence, complete dedication, and relentless consistency. He wasn’t flashy, and he didn’t seek the spotlight, but he always delivered. And that’s exactly what made him one of the most respected and beloved players in franchise history.