Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 Keys To Success In 2015

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Nov 9, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant (10) runs with the ball during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Steelers 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

5. Receivers other than Antonio Brown must step up

Don’t get me wrong, I fully expect Antonio Brown to have an outstanding 2015 season, but his supporting cast must be productive as well. They certainly did that last year, but they will likely have an even more difficult time this year, as teams learn how to better slow down Pittsburgh’s No. 1 guy.

In 2014, the team’s second leading receiver was Le’Veon Bell and its third leading receiver was tight end Heath Miller. These players will continue to be effective, but Pittsburgh’s young receivers must improve as well.

Heath Miller is certainly in the second half of his career at age 32, even though his statistics may not be showing it. He’s constantly been a reliable target for his quarterback, but it surely can’t be too long before he begins to decline, and it could be as early as this season. He’s had a very productive 10 years in the league, but Roethlisberer could very well be forced to find someone else to rely on soon.

Markus Wheaton had a breakout year last year but struggled to get into the end zone, scoring only two touchdowns. He also tended to be a very middle-of-the-road player. He failed to get more than 20 yards four times, and never once topped the 100 yard mark. He needs to be more consistent and also have more big games to help out his team.

Pittsburgh rookie Martavis Bryant averaged a staggering 21.1 yards per reception, which was the best in the league among players with at least five receptions in 2014. Bryant was reliant on big plays, catching passes of 94, 80, 50, and 44 yards. Those big plays are exciting and important, but more consistent receptions are needed to become an established option for Roethlisberger.

Rookie Sammie Coates could be a huge help at receiver, but he may not be the reliable target needed alongside Brown. His NFL.com draft profile describes him as an excellent athletic specimen with inconsistent hands and a lot of room for improvement mentally. Players like Roethlisberger, Miller, and Brown should be a huge help for a young player needing to get his head fully in the game, but he may not be the solution immediately.

Pittsburgh needs to have more options than Brown for Big Ben to throw to. Every catch that he makes only gives opposing defenses another opportunity to learn how to stop him. I don’t think they’ll be able to do it, but they may slow him down, in which case the Steelers need to be able to continue to move the ball and score points or they’ll certainly be in trouble. Any or all of these receivers need to have big 2015 campaigns to help take some of the pressure off of Antonio Brown.

Next: 2016 Super Bowl Predictions: Steelers Or Colts?

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