The Steelers attempted to bolster their wide receiver room this offseason, but here’s how their wide receivers rank among their AFC North rivals.
Wide receivers play a big factor in the success of NFL offenses. The Steelers found out first hand a few years back. After having one of the league’s most explosive receiving cores in 2015, Pittsburgh was forced to run with players like Cobi Hamilton and Sammie Coates as Martavis Bryant missed the whole season due to suspension and Markus Wheaton played just 3 games before landing on IR.
While Pittsburgh receivers have had their ups and downs, their young pass-catchers showed promise last season (albeit at the hands of Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges). Here’s how I have the Steelers receiving core ranked among their AFC North rivals:
1. Cleveland Browns
It’s hard to argue against the Browns skill players – especially when it comes to the wide receiver position. Though Odell Beckham hasn’t been the player he was a few years ago, he’s still an incredibly gifted athlete who is electric with the ball in his hands. His right-hand-man, Jarvis Landry, has been a staple in Cleveland’s passing game and he managed nearly 1,200 yards and 6 touchdowns last season.
In addition to one of the league’s best receiver duos, Cleveland has some serviceable depth options with players like Rashard Higgins and Donovan Peoples-Jones. Their not the deepest group in the league, but their one-two punch of Odell and Landry makes them a hard team to defend.