Steelers could target a Martavis Bryant clone in the NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers offense has been missing a major element. Here’s why they could target a Martavis Byrant Clone in round two of the 2022 NFL Draft.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are missing several things on offense. For starters, they need to find their next franchise quarterback, as Mitch Trubisky should really only be viewed as a serviceable stop-gap option. They also need to continue to improve the offensive line — something Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert have neglected in the NFL Draft for far too long.

However, even if both of these positions were currently in place, Pittsburgh’s offense would still be missing an element it hasn’t had in years: an elite deep threat who can really scare opposing teams down the field.

Some Steelers fans thought they were getting this in Chase Claypool. While I believe Claypool has been worth the second-round pick they spent to acquire him, he took a step back in year two and he mostly wins in contented situations down the field rather than with elite speed.

Over the past several years, Ben Roethlisberger clearly wasn’t the same player in his old age. In his younger years, however, Big Ben was best when there was an elite deep threat on his team.

Roethlisberger was already a Super Bowl-winning quarterback early in his NFL career, but his offenses became more lethal when he had an elite deep threat. this started with speedster Mike Wallace back in 2009. With the help of his gun-slinging QB, Wallace quickly proved to be one of the best deep threats in the NFL.

After Wallace left in 2013, the Steelers went 8-8 and Roethlisberger posted a very pedestrian stat line (28 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 7.3 yards per attempt). However, the very next year when the Steelers drafted Martivis Bryant, Ben had arguably the best statistical season of his career.

With Martavis immediately taking the top off the defense, Ben managed to lead the league in passing yards (4,952) while throwing for 32 touchdowns and 9 interceptions on an impressive 8.1 yards per attempt, via Pro Football Reference. The Steelers also jumped back up to an 11-5 record and Roethlisberger earned a Pro Bowl appearance.

The best stretch of play in Ben Roethlisberger’s career not only came with Antonio Brown, it was when he also had an elite deep threat in Martavis Bryant to help make everything easier underneath.

Steelers could target Martavis clone in NFL Draft

Evidence would suggest that the Steelers will look to address the wide receiver position early on day two. After losing JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, and Ray-Ray McCloud in free agency, this is almost out of necessity. However, this also goes along with historic trends.

For five straight years, the Steelers have taken a skill player in the second round of the NFL Draft. During this span, they have selected four receivers on day two — two of which recently left the team in free agency.

With just Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool as the only reliable options at the wide receiver position, it stands to reason that the Steelers will address this once more early in the 2022 NFL Draft.

George Pickens is the player that everyone seems to have their eye on, and Western Michigan standout, Skyy Moore, seems like an option as well. However, Christian Watson is a name that the Steelers could pursue if he falls to the 52nd overall pick.

The Steelers know that their offense has been lacking exposition and big-play ability for years. Watson could help fix that. The North Dakota State prospect was one of the most electrifying receivers in the nation last season.

At 6’4 1/8” and 208 pounds, Watson’s body type is remarkably similar to Martavis Bryant’s coming out of Clemson in 2014. Watson, however, actually tested even better than Martavis — earning a 4.36 40-yard dash to go with a 38.5” vertical jump and an impressive 11’4” broad jump at the NFL Combine.

Both players win in the same way. They are gazelles who can easily stretch the field with their long strides and deep speed, and they are shifter than they look with the ball in their hands. Watson has some drop issues that will need to be cleaned up at the next level, but you simply can’t teach the size and athleticism he has.

Back in 2014, Martavis Bryant would have been a much higher draft choice if it hadn’t been for his off-field issues as past suspensions. Sadly, this was a trend that continued during his NFL career. While Watson does come from a very small school, he has a clean slate off the field.

However, this also means that Watson could be gone before the Steelers pick in the second round. In fact, Watson has recently been talked about as a player who could sneak into the tail end of the first round because his traits are so rare.

If the Steelers get a chance at a quality 6’4” wide receiver who runs a 4.36 in the second round, they better pounce immediately. Freakish wideouts like Martavis Byrant and Christian Watson don’t come around every year. He would immediately improve Pittsburgh’s offensive upside.