NFL Rumors: 5 replacements for Martavis Bryant

By John Buhler | Mar 12, 2016

Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant (10) and wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (88) walk off the field after the AFC Divisional round playoff game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Denver won 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 6

Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Sammie Coates (14) runs the ball against Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (25) during the first quarter of the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Sammie Coates. 5. player. 55. . Wide Receiver. Pittsburgh Steelers

If the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to promote somebody from within to account for the huge offensive loss on Bryant, might second-year player Sammie Coates be a solution for Pittsburgh at No. 2 wide receiver in 2016?

Coates was a third round pick out of Auburn University by the Steelers in the 2015 NFL Draft after a great career with the Tigers in the SEC. That being said, he was rarely used by the Steelers his rookie campaign with only one catch for 11 yards his first year in the league.

Being that the Steelers did use a third round pick on the former Auburn star, one has to believe that Pittsburgh believes that he can become a solid NFL receiver in the next few years. Pittsburgh has a great football culture and probably had to correct some of the errors that Coates brought with him from the spread offense used by Gus Malzahn in Auburn.

While the Steelers could also lean on former Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Markus Wheaton as well to account for Bryant’s loss internally, getting any sort of production out of Coates could help offset not having Bryant in the Steel City for a year.

Next: 4. Percy Harvin

Home/Buffalo Bills