Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Last season’s rookie wide receivers may have been the largest class of breakout first-year players at the position in the league’s history. However, forgotten in the shuffle of standouts like Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans and Kelvin Benjamin is Martavis Bryant of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bryant missed the first couple of weeks from the season with injury. After six weeks of nursing a mild AC sprain, the fourth-round pick from Clemson opened his career with a 35-yard touchdown reception against the Houston Texans. In his first four games, Bryant set a NFL record with six touchdowns. Though he would only score two more times during the regular season, he still ended the season with a league-leading 21.1 yards per reception.
In Pittsburgh’s postseason loss against the Baltimore Ravens, Bryant ended the game with five receptions and a touchdown.
The main weaknesses about Bryant were his unwillingness to go in the middle of the field and his shaky hands. However, it is clear by his yards per reception that the Steelers want to use him as a deep threat instead of an over-the-middle receiver. As a player who can take the top off a defense, the Steelers have not had someone like this since Mike Wallace.
Going into his second season, Bryant’s development as a player willing to go over the middle will determine whether he will be as valuable to Pittsburgh as Antonio Brown. At 6-foot-4, his height and speed combination, as well as the newly-formed passing offense in the Steel City, puts him at an advantage to be the top pass catcher from last year’s draft. With a full season, expect his numbers to increase dramatically.
Daniel Johnson is a Beat Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @Dan_Johnson43, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
