Bryant's big day includes his dream team and a call from Ben Roethlisberger

The Steelers think that Bryant will be a red zone target

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Sat May 10 16:11:14 GMT-04:00 2014

The Pittsburgh Steelers got the receiver they wanted, and Martavis Bryant Martavis Bryant
Wide Receiver (2011 - 2013)
#1 6-5, 200
Calhoun Falls, SC
View Full Profile got the team he wanted to play for.

The Steelers, in search of a downfield threat that they hope will take pressure off the running game and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, selected Bryant in the fourth round of Saturday’s NFL Draft with the 118th pick.

Bryant, 6-4, 200 pounds, caught 42 passes for 828 yards and seven touchdowns in 2013, averaging 19.7 yards per reception. Two of his three catches in the Orange Bowl victory over Ohio State went for touchdowns.

Shortly after he was drafted, Bryant told TigerNet it was a relief to know where he was headed, and then said that the Steelers was a place he really wanted to go.

“It feels good knowing that the process is over and I'm to the point where I can go in and work hard,” Bryant said. “They were one of the teams that were really interested. That was one of the places that I really wanted to go, to be honest with you. I love Big Ben. He knows how to get the ball down field. It's just a great organization and I enjoyed visiting there. I had a great talk with the receivers coach when I was there. It just seemed like the right fit for me.”

The Steelers love what they see in Bryant.

“He is a big old receiver, different from what we have,” said Pittsburgh wide receivers coach Richard Mann. “We are delighted to get him. We think he has great length. He will be a great weapon in the red zone for us. One thing he does very well is track the football. So we feel like we got a guy we can put opposite of Antonio (Brown). I am delighted to get him, and I’m surprised he lasted that long. He is what we have been hunting. He and I just talked, and he is delighted to come.”

Bryant said he was out driving when he received the news.

“They called me. I was actually driving in my car when they called,” he said. “I talked to everyone in the organization. My family just started screaming. My mom is very happy and very proud of me. I just want her to be proud of me. It's a great accomplishment, but we're not done yet. I've still got a lot of work that needs to be done.”

A short time later, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took the time to call his newest receiver.

“It feels good knowing that I have somebody that can get the ball down field to me still,” Bryant said. “He (Roethlisberger) called me earlier and talked to me. He just told me that he was happy to have me out there. He wanted to know when I was coming out there and I told him Monday. He said that he can't wait to get to work with me. I can't wait to get to work.”