Top 50 Pittsburgh Steelers of the 2000’s: players 40-31

33. Martavis Bryant, WR (2014)

Due to drug related suspensions and off-the-field issues, Martavis Bryant’s career was very short-lived in Pittsburgh. However, there was no denying the impact he made on the Steelers offense.

Bryant was among the rarest breed of wide receivers – a 6’4” player who consistently clocked out as one of the fastest ball carriers in the National Football League.

In fact, Bryant’s first NFL catch was a 35 touchdown against the Texans back in 2014. Remarkably, Martavis managed over 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns in his first two partial NFL seasons combined (21 games, 8 starts).

Martavis wasn’t the most consistent or reliable receiver, but his speed was top notch and his trick was something you can’t teach.

Bryant helped lead the Steelers to some of their most dangerous offenses in franchise history. When he was suspended for the entire 2016 season, the Steelers offense took a noticeable step back, and Antonio Brown reduced his receiving yards by 550 from the year prior.

Bryant only started a total of 16 games in Pittsburgh, but his talent was through the roof. I often think of what could have been had he kept his head on straight.