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2016 AFC North Rankings by Position: Wide Receivers

By Joe Serpico

Sep 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) is congratulated after his touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) is congratulated after his touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 23, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) and wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) talk on the sidelines against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 24-19. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) and wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) talk on the sidelines against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 24-19. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers Antonio Brown and Marcus Wheaton

The Steelers offense could finish the year as the top offense in the NFL with Ben Roethlisberger and his stable of offensive playmakers. They have one of the best running backs in the game in Le’Veon Bell. They also feature one of the premier pass catchers.

Antonio Brown is playing at a different level than most receivers right now. He is coming off three straight seasons with over 100 receptions and has led the league in that category the past two. His 2015 numbers were absurd, recording 136 catches on 193 targets for 1,834 yards and 10 touchdowns. He catches everything thrown his way and can take it to the house on any play.

Pittsburgh will be without Martavis Bryant this season as he will be suspend for the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. It will be a huge loss for Big Ben as Bryant posted big numbers despite missing four games last year for the same reason.

With Bryant out of the mix, the Steelers are hopeful that Marcus Wheaton can make that leap into become a solid No. 2 option. He had a decent 2015 season, hauling in 44 passes for 749 yards and five scores. They will need more from him this season to take some of the pressure off and not allow teams to double Brown.

Sammie Coates was highly touted coming out of Southern Mississippi, but made no impact in his rookie season. He had one catch all season, but Pittsburgh will need him to step up without Bryant. If the Steelers remain a top-5 offense this season, it’s because of their young guys making plays.

Next: The Ravens Never-Ending Problem

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