Pittsburgh Steelers Markus Wheaton fumbles a punt from the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter during the AFC Divisional game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver on January 17,2016. The ball was recovered and ruled a touchback on the play. Denver defeated Pittsburgh 23-16 to advance to the AFC championship game in Denver against the New England Patriots. Photo by Gary C. Caskey/UPI | License Photo

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers know what they're going to get out of Antonio Brown. He has been the NFL's most prolific receiver for the past two seasons and figures to threaten league records for receptions and yardage if he stays healthy in 2016.

What Pittsburgh doesn't know is whether it has a legitimate No. 2 receiver behind Brown. With Martavis Bryant out for the season under a drug suspension the Steelers are hoping Markus Wheaton or Sammie Coates can step up and fill that vital role in the offense.


"I'm definitely excited about the opportunity," Wheaton said. "I wish Martavis was here, but we have a lot of young guys who are willing and able. Obviously, it's hard to replace him with one person with the yardage he put up, the huge plays he made. Everyone has to step up and help replace him."

Wheaton should get first crack at it. He had 44 receptions for 749 yards and five touchdowns last season, but traditionally he has done his most effective work when Bryant was in the lineup. When Bryant has missed games the past two seasons, Wheaton hasn't always stepped up and produced like a No. 2 receiver.

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That's where Coates comes in. He was drafted for the specific purpose of replacing Bryant. When the Steelers found out Bryant was in the league's drug program they invested a third-round pick in Coates in 2015. He has the same body type and similar athletic traits. He can threaten opposing defenses with his deep speed and has the ability to produce big plays.

Coates didn't play much as a rookie - he dressed for only seven regular-season games - but he did come through in the playoffs when Brown could not play because of a concussion. Coates had two catches for 61 yards and drew a pass interference penalty in the playoff game.

"I built the confidence during the regular season, doing the scout team," Coates said. "You build confidence throughout the season. When I had a chance to step up I was just ready.

"That's part of this business. You have to be ready all the time. I knew my chance will come, and I took advantage of it."

One reason to keep an eye on Wheaton is the fact that he's entering the final season of his rookie contract. When opportunity meets incentive career years can happen.

"I think about it a little bit when I'm at home watching TV or something like that," Wheaton said. "Once it's football, it's football. You don't really think about much out here. That's why I like football so much. You come out and no matter what you have going on anywhere else outside of football, you come here and it is just football."