What the Bryant news means for the Steelers

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The Pittsburgh Steelers got an answer today on wide receiver Martavis Bryant.

The NFL informed the Steelers Bryant has been reinstated on a conditional basis.

Per the NFL, Bryant may join the Steelers at the training facility and participate in meetings, conditioning work and similar activities. The Steelers say once arrangements have been confirmed regarding Bryant’s clinical resources in Pittsburgh, he will be permitted to participate in all preseason activities, including practices and games.

The NFL will then review Bryant’s progress prior to the start of the regular season and based on his compliance and engagement with his program and resources, Bryant would then be permitted to participate in all regular season activities beginning in Week 1 and evaluated later in the season for full reinstatement, per the team.

Any kind of news on Bryant is important for the Steelers prior to the draft but Steelers sources say the Bryant reinstatement won’t change the Steelers draft plans one bit.

Anything the Steelers get from Bryant this season continues to be viewed by the team as a “bonus”.

They are going into the draft with the mindset that they still won’t have Bryant, per a source. Until he proves that he’s changed, they’re going to regard the situation like they have a Josh Gordon on their hands.

In a draft that GM Kevin Colbert calls “unpredictable”, Pittsburgh is prepared to go in a number of directions with the 30th pick. It all starts with outside linebacker and the secondary but don’t rule out the offensive side of the ball.

Wide receiver is a position the Steelers would prefer to go in the second or third round, they haven’t drafted a receiver higher than the third round since Limas Sweed in 2008, but along with quarterback, it is one of the top offensive positions the Steelers are willing to go with the No. 30 pick, pending which direction the boards goes.

A hybrid tight end being a distant third.

Outside of Round 1, keep an eye on Penn State’s Chris Godwin as a top second round target for the Steelers. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley loves Godwin.

Statement from Kevin Colbert

Martavis Bryant has followed the protocol and has been conditionally reinstated by the National Football League. We appreciate that he has taken the necessary steps in an effort to get his personal life in order. We also understand this is just the beginning as he works to return to the team and meet all of the conditions of his reinstatement. We look forward to working with Martavis to ensure that he is mentally and physically prepared to contribute to our efforts on the field, while also maintaining the proper balance to keep his life in order off the field.

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