The Steelers received good news Tuesday when the NFL announced that Martavis Bryant has been reinstated after a one-year suspension for violation of the league's substance abuse policy.
Bryant is a big-time playmaker and will add a dimension to the Steelers offense the team was lacking last season. He has 95 catches for 1,558 yards and 16 touchdowns in 24 games with the Steelers, including the playoffs. That's 16.4 yards per catch and a touchdown every six receptions _ numbers that paint a picture of a big-play receiver. He also has freakish athletic ability and has made a number of ridiculous receptions.
The conventional wisdom now is that the Steelers don't need to look for a receiver early in the draft. I'd argue conventional wisdom is wrong. I'm not saying the Steelers have to use their first-round pick on a receiver, but they shouldn't rule it out just because Bryant is back.
First off, there is no guarantee Bryant is going to stay out of trouble. It's great he is on the road to recovery, and people can _ and do _ change. Still, it's hard to trust a player with his history of substance abuse until he proves over time he can be trusted. The Steelers are right to plan on having him but they'd be foolish not to have a Plan B in case he lets them down. That's just smart business.
The Steelers also could still use a third receiving option. Sammie Coates was supposed to be that player but he is way too inconsistent to believe he can be a reliable option. He also had surgery on his left hand and his groin, so who knows what his ability is now. The Steelers do have a couple of decent options at slot receiver in Eli Rogers and Demarcus Ayers, and Cobi Hamilton showed some flashes last season. All three might be good options for the third receiver spot, but all feel more like fourth or fifth receivers.
Ben Roethlisberger has talked openly about the Steelers averaging 30 points per game the past few seasons, and they have fallen short. Injuries have played a part in that but they have also been a player or two short of truly being dominant.
Tight end Ladarius Green played in only six games due to concussions but showed in a very limited capacity how explosive this offense can be with an extra receiving threat. In wins against the Bills, Giants and Colts, Green caught 10 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown. Green's status for this season is very much up in the air, so the Steelers still need one more playmaker.
The Steelers don't have to use their first-round pick on a receiver, they just shouldn't rule it out. They certainly should draft one in the first two days to try to get immediate help.
Some have Washington speedster John Ross ranked as high as the second receiver, and others have him outside the top five. He's been ranked as high as 14 in some mock drafts and falling outside the first round in others. Ross, who likely won't be available at 30 but could be, would be the perfect fit for the Steelers. He ran a 4.22 40-yard dash at the combine, and caught 81 passes and 17 touchdowns last season. Can you imagine the Steelers lining up Bryant, Brown and Ross to go along with Bell in the backfield and Green at tight end? No team would have enough on defense to slow that juggernaut down.
Ross probably is a pipe dream to fall to No. 30, but Ohio State's Curtis Samuel (4.31 in the 40) could very well still be on the board. There are some very good options who will be available in the second and third rounds. It isn't essential for the Steelers to add a receiver, but given the uncertainty of Bryant, Coates and Green, it wouldn't hurt.
