When Martavis Bryant Returns Next Year...

[Slapstick]

...there are going to be some tough choices made at WR...

AB is, of course, a given...
Bryant is, without a doubt, our most physically gifted WR...
DHB was signed to a new contract this offseason...
Eli Rogers has settled into his role as a slot WR (third on the team in catches and receiving yards)...

Then you have:

Sammie Coates, who flashed early but was then injured...still, he put together a pretty solid season, averaging over 20 yards per catch...

Cobi Hamilton, a big WR, who caught 14 passes and a TD...not bad for a guy the Steelers claimed off of the proverbial scrap heap...

Demarcus Ayers...that 35 yard PI was the momentum changer that the Steelers needed...then, catching a short pass and wisely getting out of bounds to stop the clock later...I would really like to see him get some playing time against the Browns...

In any case, there will be room for 6 WRs max...there is probably going to be a true NFL caliber player released or stashed on the PS...

[RuthlessBurgher]

Antonio and Martavis are your starters outside. Rogers is your slot receiver. Coates and DHB get the #4 and #5 slots because they can both stretch the field (when healthy) while also contributing on special teams as well. Hamilton and Ayers will have to battle it out to impress the WR and ST coaches to try to convince the team that it would be worth keeping a WR6 next year. We do know that Markus Wheaton will be playing elsewhere next season.

[SteelCrazy]

...there are going to be some tough choices made at WR...

AB is, of course, a given...
Bryant is, without a doubt, our most physically gifted WR...
DHB was signed to a new contract this offseason...
Eli Rogers has settled into his role as a slot WR (third on the team in catches and receiving yards)...

Then you have:

Sammie Coates, who flashed early but was then injured...still, he put together a pretty solid season, averaging over 20 yards per catch...

Cobi Hamilton, a big WR, who caught 14 passes and a TD...not bad for a guy the Steelers claimed off of the proverbial scrap heap...

Demarcus Ayers...that 35 yard PI was the momentum changer that the Steelers needed...then, catching a short pass and wisely getting out of bounds to stop the clock later...I would really like to see him get some playing time against the Browns...

In any case, there will be room for 6 WRs max...there is probably going to be a true NFL caliber player released or stashed on the PS...

My guess is Ayers goes back to the PS. If not, Hamilton if he is still eligible. Not sure how the PS works

[Shoe]

Martavis is key. I think as AB goes on, we'll need a true 1b WR (not a #2). I just think at some point, he's going to show that he's human. (i.e. We lock AB up to a big contract, and he gets hurt. We would be subpar, with a Coates-led WR corps. With Martavis, he definitely has shown the ability to beat #1 CB attention (e.g. Aqib Talib last year).

I hate to see a young guy like Cobi Hamilton or Ayers, go off to some place like NE* and become the next Deion Branch-Edelman-Welker... a guy like Ayers or Eli Rogers I could really see shining in that role). I actually think we've seen the best of Coates.

I could see the argument coming next season (if Bryant can keep his nose clean), that we have the best #1 WR, the best #2 WR in the league, a scary #3 WR, and one of the best #4 WR in the league in Rogers. If Ladarius can come back, or lets say we are in position to draft the next Heath Miller... add Bell's WR skills to the mix... lets say Nix works hard at his receiving...

[winwithd]

My guess is Ayers goes back to the PS. If not, Hamilton if he is still eligible. Not sure how the PS works

Wasn't Ayers picked to replace AB as the return guy? Question then do you take a roster spot for just a return man. Maybe Hamilton can be a core ST player who plays WR if someone is injured.

[Ernie]

Martavis is key. I think as AB goes on, we'll need a true 1b WR (not a #2). I just think at some point, he's going to show that he's human. (i.e. We lock AB up to a big contract, and he gets hurt. We would be subpar, with a Coates-led WR corps. With Martavis, he definitely has shown the ability to beat #1 CB attention (e.g. Aqib Talib last year).

I hate to see a young guy like Cobi Hamilton or Ayers, go off to some place like NE* and become the next Deion Branch-Edelman-Welker... a guy like Ayers or Eli Rogers I could really see shining in that role). I actually think we've seen the best of Coates.

I could see the argument coming next season (if Bryant can keep his nose clean), that we have the best #1 WR, the best #2 WR in the league, a scary #3 WR, and one of the best #4 WR in the league in Rogers. If Ladarius can come back, or lets say we are in position to draft the next Heath Miller... add Bell's WR skills to the mix... lets say Nix works hard at his receiving...

Shoe. I am following you all the way to drafting the next Heath Miller. I think TE is low on our list of needs going into the season. Even if Green is out... James and Grimble will be fine. If a 'Gronk' type is there... I'd take him. Otherwise, I think we are ok at TE

[feltdizz]

We already have the next Heath... we just have to use him.

[papillon]

We already have the next Heath... we just have to use him.

He has to be healthy as well.

Pappy

[pittpete]

All depends on who can play ST...

[Ernie]

He has to be healthy as well.

Pappy

Im not sure which TE dizz was referring to.. but, in my opinion... James' play more closely resembles Heath... than L. Green. Not saying James = Heath... but he could be an adequate replacement in time. James has developed into a solid blocking TE. Haven't seen enough of Green in that regard...but know that Green is a freak stretching the field vertically.

[Oviedo]

Not counting on Bryant quite yet. Guy hasn't proven he has the ability to make it through an off season clean. Good luck to him

Would we consider resigning Wheaton? He is experienced and know the offense and hardly has shown enough this year to expect big money on the open market. He might be willing to take a one-year "show me" contract

[Ernie]

Not counting on Bryant quite yet. Guy hasn't proven he has the ability to make it through an off season clean. Good luck to him

Would we consider resigning Wheaton? He is experienced and know the offense and hardly has shown enough this year to expect big money on the open market. He might be willing to take a one-year "show me" contract

Oh man you are going to get hammered for asking that question..lol. I've always liked Wheaton's potential... personally. I liked Manny Sanders too, when a lot of guys on here didn't. I wouldn't mind seeing him back on a one year deal... to compete for a job. I don't think it's going to happen though. He'll have to earn his keep elsewhere.. IMO

[SidSmythe]

Wheaton has never looked fluid to me. Sometimes he's plain awkward looking out there.

Ayers deserves a look along with Hamilton.

[squidkid]

easy answer, YES.

[Ernie]

Wheaton has never looked fluid to me. Sometimes he's plain awkward looking out there.

Ayers deserves a look along with Hamilton.

Maybe.. Other than the 3 drop game early this year... I thought he had some production... for no more targets than he had.