Steelers Nation has been unforgiving following the loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game. Much was said of not having “another weapon” next to Antonio Brown (who was often double, and triple-teamed throughout the game). There’s a consensus, even myself included, who feel the return of Martavis Bryant from suspension, and the return (to health) of Ladarius Green, could be more than enough to help take the heat off of AB.

But what if those two things never happen?

The Steelers will be left holding the bag; a big empty bag.

Okay, that’s not entirely fair, because they have a number of capable receivers on their roster: Eli Rogers is the defacto slot guy, and Demarcus Ayers could be too. But who’s the two if there’s no Martavis Byrant? Is it Cobi Hamilton? Sammie Coates? Darrius Heyward-Bey?

That does leave some cause for concern, despite the Steelers winning the AFC North with an 11-5 record, and finishing the season one win away from the Super Bowl, with the above crew. There’s been talk of adding a wide receiver to their roster via free agency, but as I previously wrote, that’s not a plausible cure for Pittsburgh’s pass catching woes.

With six receivers already under contract for 2017, and Bryant making a potential seventh on the depth chart, I don’t expect the Steelers to dip their toe in the free agency pool.

That leaves the upcoming NFL Draft, and those players who go undrafted following, as the “place” for Pittsburgh to find some help: and it’s a place they’ve found talent often.

Antonio Brown

The most famous name on this list was a sixth round draft choice in 2010.

He’s gone on a tear that no other receiver in NFL history has had over the last four years. (I will save some space here and start with everyone else, or AB could take up the entire column, as his Stats That Stood out required!)

Sammie Coates

Say what you will, but Coates had a monster first five games of the 2016 season, catching at least one pass in each of those games for 40 or more yards. Barring a hand injury setback, Coates could’ve had a bigger year.

Matavis Bryant

Hard to argue that a fourth round find who has produced 76 catches, 1,314 yards and 14 touchdowns in only 8 starts (21 total regular season games) isn’t a big deal. Bryant produced an insane 21.1 yards-per-catch average during his rookie season.

Eli Rogers

Rogers went from undrafted rookie, to Injured Reserve, to starting slot receiver.

His crisp route running has earned him a spot on the Steelers offense, and you can certainly tell he has Ben Roethlisberger‘s confidence. Eli finished his first full year with 48 catches for 594 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Markus Wheaton

The Steelers selected two receivers in the 2013 NFL Draft. One had a chance to make an impact, but would be cut (Justin Brown, 6th round) and the other, 3rd round selection Markus Wheaton, had an up-and-down ride with the Steelers.

His best season by far was 2015, where he appeared in all 16 games, catching 44 passes for 749 yards and 5 touchdowns, including a monster 9 catch, 201 yard game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Emmanuel Sanders

Taken three rounds before Antonio Brown in the same year, Sanders struggled early on with injuries but eventually became a steady option in the Steelers offense over his last two seasons in Pittsburgh, playing in every game. His best year was his last, in 2013, when Manny hauled in 67 catches for 740 yards and 6 touchdowns. (Numbers similar to Wheaton’s 2015 year.)

He has since moved on to the Denver Broncos, where he caught 101 passes in his first season with the club, while having at least 1,000 yards receiving in each of his three seasons there.

Mike Wallace

Love him or hate him, Wallace set the world on fire with his deep threat ability, cashing in on his days in Pittsburgh for a huge payday with the Miami Dolphins.

He has since bounced around between the Fish, Vikings and now the Baltimore Ravens, but remains a threat to this day. His best days were still in Pittsburgh, however, where Wallace caught 235 passes for 4,042 yards and 32 touchdowns, with a healthy 17.2 YAC.

Going further back

Wallace was drafted in 2009, but before him, the Steelers had flopped on a few picks. Most notable was the guy who should’ve been Wallace: Limas Sweed.

A second round pick in 2008, Sweed never panned out, catching a total of 7 passes for 69 yards (on 15 targets).

Dallas Baker was a seventh round pick in 2007, who dressed for 8 games and only had a chance to catch a single pass. Baker (and Justin Brown) are reminders of how every late round pick can’t be expected to be a blockbuster pickup.

Beyond those picks within the last decade, the Steelers have also hit home runs with other receivers. Santonio Holmes is best known for his acrobatic catch which earned him MVP of Super Bowl XLIII.

Antwaan Randle El was taken in the 2002 NFL Draft and also has a historic Super Bowl play under his belt, completing a gadge touchdown pass play to 1998 third round pick Hines Ward.

Plaxico Burress is the best of the rest. The 2000 8th overall pick played in the NFL for 11 seasons. He caught 519 passes for 2,306 yards and 23 touchdowns during his time with the Steelers.

Conclusion

The Steelers have had incredible luck at finding receivers in the draft. Regardless of how big their impact has been, very few have had poor careers as of late. Brown, Bryant, Sanders and Wallace are all home runs that were found in rounds three or later. Wheaton and Coates have been steady contributors, while the jury is still out on Ayers (who has realistically only appeared in a few games).

Could the Steelers find yet another mid-to-late round receiver to compliment AB?

History rules in their favor to do so.