Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers' Heyward-Bey thinks Martavis Bryant has talent to be best receiver ever

Published Jun. 3, 2015 1:17 p.m. ET

foxsports

When Darrius Heyward-Bey looks up at the Steelers' depth chart, he sees the best receiver in the NFL, and another who he thinks can be the greatest receiver ever.

While no one would flinch at the thought of Antonio Brown being the top wideout in the league, the idea of Martavis Bryant emerging as one of the all-time greats is bound to cause some double takes.

Heyward-Bey, who is just 28 years old himself, has taken Bryant under his wing, assuming a mentor role that the former first-round pick wishes he had in Oakland. The former Raider watched mostly from the sideline last season while Bryant ascended from a slow start to become a big-play threat as a rookie for Ben Roethlisberger.

"Martavis has a chance, talent-wise, to be the best to ever play.” Heyward-Bey told DK on Pittsburgh Sports. "He has the potential to be extremely special."

There were early concerns last summer about Bryant's work ethic, and he was inactive the first six games as he struggled to get accustomed to the rigors and speed of the NFL. Heyward-Bey notices a big change in Bryant at the start of this year's OTAs.

"I see him putting in the work now," Heyward-Bey said. "He’s starting to figure out what it means to be a professional. That’s important. Before, he was the man in college. Now this is his job. He gets that now. He’s starting to understand life in a different way."

Bryant has been working hard all offseason. He feels that his hands are faster after MMA training, and also traveled to Georgia to work out with Roethlisberger and other Steelers teammates.

"It was good," Bryant said. “I think (Roethlisberger) has more confidence in me. And now, I have more confidence in myself."

Bryant caught 26 passes for 549 yards and eight touchdowns in 10 games, but Heyward-Bey believes it's just the tip of the iceberg.

"You can see it," he said. "Ben is trusting him now. That’s a big thing."

h/t: DK on Pittsburgh Sports