NFL Rumors: 5 replacements for Martavis Bryant
By John Buhler
Martavis Bryant is facing a year-long suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy yet again, so who might replace him?
Saturday afternoon brought some unfortunate news to the Pittsburgh Steelers organization, as the world found out that great No. 2 wide receiver Martavis Bryant would be facing a year-long suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy for a second time. Though Bryant plans to appeal the suspension, it feels unlikely that he’ll play for the Steelers in 2016 as he will probably have to sit out a year.
This is tough news to the Steelers organization, whose best chance to contend for another trip to the Super Bowl is largely contingent on how well their offense plays under offensive coordinator Todd Haley. While Pittsburgh usually boasts a top-notch defense, the Steelers are in a bit of a rebuild on that side of the football.
Offensively, Pittsburgh was loaded in 2015 with Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback, Le’Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams in the backfield, and Antonio Brown and Bryant starring on the outside. On paper, Pittsburgh was easily a top three offensive team in 2015 and looked like they were going to be again in 2016.
However, possibly losing Bryant for the year brings to question how the Steelers will recreate his productivity in the receiving game. Would the Steelers recreate him in the aggregate with a player already on the roster stepping up big time in 2016? Does it make sense to sign a wideout in free agency? Would Pittsburgh consider orchestrating a trade to help them on the outside following the loss of Bryant?
All three scenarios to replace Bryant should be considered by the Pittsburgh front office. Here are five players that make the most sense to replace Bryant at No. 2 wide receiver for the 2016 NFL season and possibly beyond that.
Next: 5. Sammie Coates