Top-7 Steelers wide receivers of the Kevin Colbert era

Current Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert has a knack for finding quality receivers (disregarding Limas Sweed and Sammie Coates). Colbert took over as Director of Football Operations in 2000 and, since then, the receiving corps in Pittsburgh has consistently been among the NFL’s upper echelon.

(Note: Only receivers will be taken into consideration. Also, any player that was not brought in by Kevin Colbert will not be considered for this list. Examples: Hines Ward, Kordell Stewart)

Honorable Mention: JuJu Smith-Schuster

This kid is destined for great things. In his rookie season, Smith-Schuster proved that he’s capable of putting up big numbers, as well as being a huge part of the running game. If he can continue to pile up stats, he might just find himself near the top of the list before his rookie deal expires.

7. Antwaan Randle El

Randle El is part of one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history. While he never lit up the stat sheet, Members of Steelers Nation will never forget his reverse pass in Super Bowl 40 to another member of this list.

6. Emmanuel Sanders

Sanders never really got a chance to shine in Pittsburgh, mainly because he sat behind a few of the other members of this list. Sanders’ 2,000 yards in four seasons as a Steeler might not light the world on fire, but it did prove what he was capable of when he got the chance to start in Denver.

5. Martavis Bryant

Bryant’s career can aptly be described as a roller coaster. From acrobatic catches to his substance-abuse issues, he’s always been in the spotlight. But Bryant seemed to turn a new page in the second half of the 2017 season, settling into his role of a secondary target. While it’s likely he leaves town after his rookie deal expires (like many on this list), Bryant has put up decent numbers and made some memorable moments.

4. Plaxico Burress

One of the most polarizing players in Steelers’ history, Burress will be remembered mostly for shooting himself in the leg, as well as for beating the Patriots in the Super Bowl versus the Giants. No matter how tainted your memory of Burress might be, there’s no denying Kevin Colbert’s first-ever draft choice was a play-maker.

3. Mike Wallace

The speedster was being heralded as the NFL’s next great receiver before he left Pittsburgh for Miami, where his career inexplicably fell off. While he’s now having a bit of a renaissance with the Ravens, his best years were back when he wore black-and-gold.

2. Santonio Holmes

He was the hero of Super Bowl 43 and a player who lived for the clutch. His run in Pittsburgh was shortlived, but Holmes’ ability to make game-winning catches was second to none. He saved the best games of his career for when it mattered most.

1. Antonio Brown

Could it be anyone else? Brown is on pace to own every receiving record in not just Steelers history, but maybe NFL history. Brown’s five consecutive 100-reception seasons is a stat-line not even Jerry Rice could accomplish. If Brown can keep his pace and add a Super bowl ring or two, he might just be considered one of the all-time greats.