From 2 to 8 in one offseason. The Wide Receiver dilemma.

At the beginning of last year it looked like the Steelers may be down to 2 wide receivers when Speed demon and big mouth peyton lover decided to move on, or at least test the market.  It looked like the Steelers may be down to Antonio Brown and Jericho Cotchery starting.  They had drafted Markus Wheaton and the other half of the Brown brothers, Justin and there were various other pickups including Derek Moye. 

We know that it usually takes at least  a year for players to be productive in the various offensive and defensive positions on the Steelers, but if the players are talented enough and the position is depleted enough then there is a chance that  those players will be at least semi-productive.  The Steelers decided to match the offer for Emmanuel Sanders and they had 3 wide receivers with experience and the replacement for the planned departure of Emmanuel Sanders after the season, Markus Wheaton was there to learn the ropes.  Wheaton played a little and then broke his finger and the season was mostly a loss for him.  Moye beat out Justin Brown and it looked like they might have a steal that could contribute out of the box, but there was little to no contribution offensively for Moye after the early season touchdown fade pass for a touchdown.

Fast forward to this year.  The wide receiver position, despite the loss of Sanders, seems to be a possible strength  and the choice as to who will make it may be a tough one.  The candidates left over from last year are Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Justin Brown and Derek Moye.  Then the Steelers signed 2 free agents in Lance Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bay, then they draft another tall fast receiver in Martavis Bryant.  In addition to that they get a call from one of the best cornerbacks ever who asks them to take a look at a young receiver that hasn’t done much in college, but has got his attention with his size, athleticism and speed.  Mel Blount doesn’t just recommend anyone to the Steelers.  Seriously, from what he’s said this young receiver may be the first player he’s recommended to the Steelers.  So, you know there must be something special about him. CJ Goodwin is his name. 

In case you’re counting that is 8 wide receivers.  You know they are not going to keep 8.  At most they’ll have 5 on the roster when the season begins.  From what everyone is saying all these guys are looking good.  There is much to look forward to because these guys are all fast.  HB might be the fastest and I’m not sure he’ll be in the team picture when everything shakes out.  The other good thing is that Ben wanted a tall receiver.  When the decision comes he may have 2 to 4 to throw to.  Martavis Bryant, Justin Brown, Derek Moye, and DHB are all 6’2” or taller and Goodwin, Brown, Moye and Bryant are all 6’3” or taller.  That’s a little extra height that Ben can put on the ball to give the receivers a little advantage over those short corners.

So, who’s going to be in the team picture, as the saying goes.  Since camp is only been in session for a week it’s hard to say, but……  I’ll put my 2 cents in as to who I think will make the team.

I think AB has the team made and probably has a starting position locked up.  Those team MVPs might help his case.  Then there is Markus Wheaton.  He has been hyped as the next starter opposite AB since last year.  Lance Moore, formerly of the Saints, has received major praise from everyone in the organization and can play the number 2 receiver as well as the slot.  That’s 3 spots.  Antonio’s brother, Justin, has also received praise from his coaches after a year on the practice squad.  That’s four.  Then this year’s fourth rounder who they drafted to provide Ben with a big receiver is number five.   So, DHB, Moye and Goodwin are left out of the picture.  

But, even though you don’t hear much about him I think the Steelers will keep Goodwin on the practice squad.  His potential is intriguing.  Then again, I don’t know if anyone would pick him up if he wasn’t on the practice squad so they may put Moye on there and tell Goodwin to keep working and be ready in case the need arises for another WR.  Most likely he wouldn’t see any action anyway unless he shows he can contribute to special teams.  I’d say DHB is left out  unless 2 of the others get in the doghouse.  I do think the Steelers have a solid future with the guys they have at WR and they definitely have size and speed.  They just need everyone to get up to speed with Todd Haley and the offensive system.  If they do this offense could be explosive combined with the running game that they may have.  Oh yeah,  and after all that they have this other burner that could be as fast as Wallace, Dri Archer.  Watch out for him. He'll be coming at us from all angles, returning, running back, and wide receiver.