Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 Early bold predictions for 2018 season

3. Steelers have NFL’s sixth 1000-yard receiving trio

Only five times in NFL history have three teammates racked up 1,000 or more receiving yards in a single season. Well, that number is about to be pushed to six by the Steelers and their gaggle of outstanding pass catchers.

Surprising, that list doesn’t include Bell or Samuels despite their proficiency as receivers. Instead, it’ll be Pittsburgh’s three leading options out wide, Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington. Seriously, it’s going to be a mad season for Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers passing game.

We already know what to expect from Brown, one of the NFL’s best receivers. Smith-Schuster shined as a rookie a season ago, and figures to take another step forward in his progress in 2018. As for Washington, the Steelers’ 2018 second-round pick, he should make his presence felt early and often with opposing defenses trying to corral Brown and Smith-Schuster.

Especially without a proven playmaker at tight end and no dangerous weapons further down the receiver depth chart, this is absolutely a possibility. Roethlisberger threw for 4,251 yards last year, and nearly amassed 5,000 yards back in 2014. Hence, it’s not completely out of the question for him to spread 3,000 yards between Brown, Smith-Schuster and Washington.

It would be a momentous accomplishment for this Steelers offense. I think they’ve got the talent to pull it off, though.