He caught 42 touchdowns during his time with the Steelers while averaging 21.6 yards per reception. From Lynn Swan and John Stallworth in the 1970s' to Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster today, Steeler Nation has been spoiled with balletic pass catches that have left defenders in their dust. Steelers 2014 roster breakdown: Wide receivers Antonio Brown is the unquestioned leader of the receivers, but depth behind him will make or break the success of this group in 2014… Oh, what a difference a year makes. In 1988 and '89, Lipps caught a combined 100 passes for 1,917 yards and 10 touchdowns. ", Steelers mainstay Ike Taylor discusses 2014 expectations, paycut and more. When you fall just short, you want to push forward. The former Ohio State star had 824 receiving yards in his rookie season. "I knew he was good, but to be up close and personal, you see it every day in practice why he’s as good as he is. The former fourth-round pick had a rough go of things in his first three seasons, but a breakout campaign in 1977 sent Stallworth on his way. Big Ben tied Drew Brees for the NFL's passing title, while Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell had two of … In Pittsburgh, Brown finally has the biggest audience possible after last year’s monster season. One of the best bets to show up when the regular season opens next month against Cleveland is Justin Brown, a 2013 sixth-round pick out of Oklahoma who spent last year on the Steelers' practice squad. Pittsburgh spent the 66th pick on Johnson, who has developed into a dangerous receiver and punt returner. That was only the precursor to his stunning Super Bowl performance. Linebackers Bud Dupree, T.J. Watt, and Devin Bush are part of one of the best linebacker units in the NFL, a group that also includes veteran Vince Williams. As a rookie, Smith-Schuster became the youngest player in NFL history to amass 1,000 total yards. All Rights Reserved. And night-night means ain’t nobody catching him. Colbert has been in charge of the Steelers’ draft since 2000 and has selected 22 wide receivers during that time. 1, and then let’s see what develops as the season plays out in Pittsburgh. He made Seven Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro in four consecutive seasons from 2014 to 2017. But he certainly made a big impact despite a short career. On Devin Bush: 'The best way to support him is to pick up where he left off', Steelers LB Ulysees Gilbert is ready to make that 'second-year jump', No one is more excited about the Steelers going 5-0 than Eric Ebron, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Roethlisberger won his first Super Bowl as a sixth seed, after all. One of Pittsburgh's best "pre dynasty" players, wide receiver Buddy Dial twice led the NFL in yards per catch during his half decade with the Steelers. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 1961 after catching 53 passes for 1,047 yards and 12 touchdowns. Swann’s excellence on the grandest stage made him one of the best playoff receivers ever, and very deserving of a spot on this list. The Steelers, despite their 3-0 record, are still considered the third wheel as far as the AFC's top teams are concerned. That would be someone with the accomplishments and symbolic importance, to match. Below is our list of the greatest Pittsburgh Steelers' receivers of all-time. What will Golden State do with the No. But in reality, the Steelers figured that, if they were going to be competitive, they would have to become a defensive oriented team. Wallace caught nine passes for 89 yards and a score in Pittsburgh's Super Bowl loss to the Packers. It was a quarterback who discovered he had someone he could throw to. He also is the first player in league history to score five touchdowns before his 21st birthday. Ward, who made four consecutive Pro Bowl teams from 2001-04, is regarded as arguably the most complete receiver in NFL history along with the greatest blocker. Dynamo Kiev and Juventus will meet in a Champions League clash on Tuesday. If you're a fan of offense, the 2014 Steelers were the team for you. While they've often been overlooked, the strength of Pittsburgh's offense has oftentimes been its offensive line, led by eight-time Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey. "He’s a short receiver who can turn a short reception into a big gain, he can make the intermediate catches and he can get deep and be a weapon in the return game. Check out the best Steelers wide receivers of all time in this top 10 list. Indeed, the Steelers dynasty of the 1970s became known as the “Steel Curtain” with fearsome defensive players like Jack Lambert, Jack Ham, “Mean” Joe Greene and Mel Blount attaining iconic status. 1 receiver entering his final year under contract. And what about the dual threat posed by Dri Archer, the diminutive former Kent State star who is getting work at both running back and receiver and also using his 4.26 speed in the return game? Aside from being a sure-handed receiver, he was one of the best blockers at the wide receiver position, routinely drilling defensive backs and linebackers on crackbacks. He’s just fast. Wallace enjoyed the best season of his career the following year, catching 60 passes for 1,257 yards and 10 scores while helping the Steelers advance to Super Bowl XLV. They’ve all got the pedigree, they work extremely hard, they’ve got a quarterback they should have a great deal of confidence in, and they’ve got a lot of the ingredients to ascend and to explode onto the scene. Clearly you can’t say it’s the best group at this point. There is no question Stallworth is one of the most beloved figures in Steelers history. That same year, Pittsburgh spent a third round pick running back James Conner, who also earned Pro Bowl honors in 2018 after averaging 113 all-purpose yards per game. He was fearless on and off the field, and even in retirement has never shied away from critiquing former teammates. The way in which he left the Steelers was ugly. Chelsea will host Sevilla in a Champions League clash on Tuesday. And let’s be clear about what you saw. 2015 Pittsburgh Steelers Starters, Roster, & Players: 10-6 (po:1-1) (2nd in AFC North), Coach: Mike Tomlin, ProBowl: Brown, DeCastro, Roethlisberger But this group as a whole will be a lot better than people probably think. They quickly became just that after acquiring FItzpatrick, who took home All-Pro honors during his first season with the Black and Gold. He was speaking out of character and not knowing what he’s saying. But I don’t know the order of the guys we’ll have behind him, other than we have a lot of candidates at that position.". Pittsburgh traditionally does not sign big name free agents. The Joe Greene Great Performance recipient given annually to Pittsburgh's top rookie, JuJu led all NFL rookie receivers with 917 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 2017. The only constant? They’ve both got rings. While he wasn't a first-round pick, defensive end Stephon Tuitt has proven to be a force when healthy. The result was a first-round playoff exit, as Pittsburgh's drought without a postseason win reached four years. He responded by having his best statistical year in 1984, catching 80 passes for 1,395 yards and 11 touchdowns en route to the Comeback Player of the Year Award. Brown played nine seasons with the Steelers. While the unit isn't getting any younger, the Steelers' offensive line has been rejuvenated by the additions of Chukwuma Okorafor and Kevin Dotson. In Super Bowl XIV, Swann caught five passes for 79 yards that included a 47-yard touchdown repletion in Pittsburgh's 31-19 win over the Rams. In fact, Stallworth notched three separate 1,000-yard seasons. Add in the veteran talents of former Saints slot man Lance Moore, who is replacing Jerricho Cotchery (now with Carolina), and ex-Colt Darrius Heyward-Bey, and Pittsburgh has a varied and versatile collection of receiving options to choose from. © 2005-2020 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. "I feel good about the group," eighth-year Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin said. So far, most of the gambles have paid off. Holmes would go on to bust out for 1,248 yards receiving in 2009. While the Steelers should be considered a serious contender to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LV, they'll have to show that they can get past the Ravens and Chiefs. He also has four touchdowns that includes his 97-yard score in last Sunday's matchup in Denver against the Broncos. © 2020 ABG-SI LLC. If you're a fan of offense, the 2014 Steelers were the team for you. He also set a franchise record by becoming the youngest player in team history to record a 1,000-yard receiving season. Stallworth had more longevity than Swann, and he was every bit as excellent. Like other names on this list, Ward shined during the Super Bowl. Covering the impact of coronavirus on the sports world. Despite playing in an era loaded with talent at his position, Ward managed to stake his claim as the greatest receiver in Steelers history. But he and the rest of the Steelers receivers have plenty to accomplish in 2014 -- namely, helping Pittsburgh snap its two-year run of 8-8 finishes. He’s really, really good. Answering 10 of the biggest questions of the NBA offseason. It wasn’t a different quarterback. The signing of Haden was also a surprising move, considering that the Browns had essentially given up on him. What a huge turnaround a team can make when their future Hall of Fame quarterback comes back. He also strung together two more in 2008 and 2009. On Sunday, the duo caught eight passes for 87 yards, with Ebron scoring his first touchdown as a Steeler. I’m just glad he’s on our team.". But the Steelers, with their history of uncovering receiving gems from the ranks of the unknown, seem intrigued by the potential they have in camp. In terms of hits, Randle El, Holmes, Brown, Sanders, and Smith-Schuster certainly qualify. So, who could top Brown’s accomplishments? RANKINGS: QBs | WRs |TEs |Safeties|CBs|DTs|Pass rushers|LBs | OL. Sign up for the Steelers Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. "Justin Brown is kind of flying under the radar, but he had a really good spring," Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley said. However, it is what he did in the 2008 playoffs that really cements his place on this list. "I might be split out wide, I might be in the backfield, I might be in gun, a lot of different things. "It’s been pretty interesting to see them reacting to where I’m lining up and making their checks. And I was two catches away from a team record. In Super Bowl XIV, Stallworth's 73-yard touchdown catch and 45-yard reception in the fourth quarter helped Pittsburgh defeat Los Angeles 31-19 to give Pittsburgh their fourth Super Bowl title in six seasons. Stallworth was held to just five receptions for 32 yards in the team’s first two Super Bowls, with Swann starring in Super Bowl X. A 2017 Pro Bowler, Boswell (who has made 34 of his last 36 field goal attempts dating back to last season) is just another reason why the Steelers are 11-5 in their last 16 games. Holmes was a first-round pick with the Steelers in 2006, and immediately made an impact as a big-play threat. Brown, a sixth-round pick in 2010, stayed after signing a $42 million extension in 2012 and last year became the first receiver in league history to post at least five catches and 50 yards receiving in each of his team’s 16 games. He is now one of the main pieces of arguably the league's best defense. But Stallworth would not be denied, catching a pair of huge touchdown catches during Pittsburgh’s thrilling 35-31 over the Cowboys in Suer Bowl XIII while hauling in three passes for 121 yards and a touchdown the following year. said Brown, laughing, when I dared remind him he can’t legitimately call himself a 1,500-yard receiver just yet, not without rounding up. After a slow start, Thigpen became Pittsburgh's best receiver during the 1990s. 2 pick?