A look at the Steelers receiving corps

[Shoes]

This one examines what the Steelers have as receiving options at WR, TE, and RB, and what the Steelers want to have. The follow-up will consider the likeliest answers who will be available in the draft ... and particularly in Day 3 of the draft.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com...2014-nfl-draft

[slashsteel]

I think you could see two receivers come from this draft as well as a change of pace back.

Wheaton could really make this unit shine if he has a solid year........... As well as Blount helping out in short yardage and the red zone.............

[GBMelBlount]

Agreed.

The effectiveness of the receiving corp may largely hinge on Wheaton's development this year.

[MrPgh]

I think if the Steelers draft a WR in one of the first two rounds, then Wheaton could be moved into the slot. Too bad the Steelers didn't play him more. The worst he would have done was drop passes, which is exactly what Sanders did and he kept playing.

[Psycho Ward 86]

i disgaree with the notion about the receivers. how do we expect to finally have success in the red zone when we have 3 midgets as our top 3 receivers (at the moment) and a so-so red zone tight end in heath miller? if we pick up any sort of receiver that isnt big, fine, but that will only help us move between the 20 yard lines. We already have the players for that, or at least we are counting on it

[Mojouw]

Maybe Todd Haley is watching a ton of film of the '80's era Broncos and their smurf wide receivers?

[Dwinsgames]

Maybe Todd Haley is watching a ton of film of the '80's era Broncos and their smurf wide receivers?

or Oilers with the " real blue smurfs"

[ALLD]

We need another big pass catching TE and an OL to give BB time to throw the ball. Also use the quick slant, dump off out of the backfield and safety valve to increase completion percentage. Mix it up. At least it is not as predictable as BA.

[Mojouw]

or Oilers with the " real blue smurfs"

I knew I forgot one! Broncos were the "3 Amigos" not the smurfs.

Wasn't Haywood Jeffries pretty tall?

[Dwinsgames]

I knew I forgot one! Broncos were the "3 Amigos" not the smurfs.

Wasn't Haywood Jeffries pretty tall?

he was the only one with any real height to him rest 5'8-5'10 ish if memory serves

[tube517]

or Oilers with the " real blue smurfs"

Or the Foreskins with the original "Smurfs"

Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk

[Steelerette]

he was the only one with any real height to him rest 5'8-5'10 ish if memory serves

Still that was practically a pro-bowl squad they had at WR down there in Houston. They converted Givens to TE, midget, didn't really block, but damned good too. So height isn't everything. Though of course, at least one would be nice.

[Psycho Ward 86]

Still that was practically a pro-bowl squad they had at WR down there in Houston. They converted Givens to TE, midget, didn't really block, but damned good too. So height isn't everything. Though of course, at least one would be nice.

if you dont want to score in the red zone

[Drazo85]

Does anybody has any information about recovery of Danario Alexander? He tore his ACL in preseason last year. He is 6`5 and he would add a height to our receiving corps. Of course as long as he is healthy.

[Psycho Ward 86]

Does anybody has any information about recovery of Danario Alexander? He tore his ACL in preseason last year. He is 6`5 and he would add a height to our receiving corps. Of course as long as he is healthy.

4 torn acl's. no thanks

[Dwinsgames]

many might find this a bit shocking ....

[Mojouw]

Does anybody has any information about recovery of Danario Alexander? He tore his ACL in preseason last year. He is 6`5 and he would add a height to our receiving corps. Of course as long as he is healthy.

I think Alexander's knees are currently the consistency and strength of cole-slaw.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/...ario-alexander

But he did look dominant the only time he was ever healthy in his career. SHame.

- - - Updated - - -

many might find this a bit shocking ....

I'm looking at it and I don't see what I am supposed to be shocked by? But, then again, I am dense.

[Dwinsgames]

I'm looking at it and I don't see what I am supposed to be shocked by? But, then again, I am dense.

the pure fact that of ALL the WR in the NFL that ran 30 or more post routes in 2013 Nate Washington was the 4th most successful in yards per pattern and that his name is even mentioned among the likes of Calvin Johnson

[Psycho Ward 86]

the pure fact that of ALL the WR in the NFL that ran 30 or more post routes in 2013 Nate Washington was the 4th most successful in yards per pattern and that his name is even mentioned among the likes of Calvin Johnson

ehhh these are pretty obscure statistics, a lot of variables could play into it probably. Back on topic, to those who dont have a problem with having the 3 midget musketeers compose the top of our WR depth chart, remind when the last time was when we were actually good in the red zone? Or even in the upper 1/3rd in the league in scoring? Yeah, exactly. Lets not pretend we dont "need" a big tall receiver. After 2 mediocre seasons, we arent in a position to say that anymore.Im going to have to respectfully disagree that our top 3 can replicate what the broncos, oilers, and redskins did. Dear lord baby jesus, just give me ONE big fella. Just one

[Steelerette]

Well, what do we have

Brown 5'10"
Wheaton 5'11"
Moore 5'9"

Those are the only three I'd guarantee at this point will be on the opening day roster.

On the bubble -

Heyward-Bey 6'2" - not a midget but he's not a possession receiver either, okay fine.
Derek Moye - 6'5"
Justin Brown 6'3"
Jasper Collins 6'0"

Either Moye or Brown making the team combined with Heath on the field will pretty much settle that "big redzone target" you're after IMO.

It's also my opinion we're going to draft one WR... maybe two if either a crazy value falls to us *or* just a day-3 flier in general. So let's look at potential draft targets.

Mike Evans 6'4" 1st
Odell Beckham 5'11" 1st-2nd
Kelvin Benjamin 6'5" 1st-2nd
Donte Moncrief 6'2" 2nd
Martavis Bryant 6'3" 2nd-3rd
Jordan Matthews 6'3" 3rd
Brandon Coleman 6'6" 3rd (TE conversion project?)
Jared Abbrederis 6'1" 3rd-4th
Devin Street 6'3" 4th-5th
Jeff Janis 6'3" 6th-7th

Hardly exhaustive of course but here's most of the tall ones, plus a couple extra who have had buzz around here. Now to me, if they pick Moncrief or someone shorter than him, the team isn't nearly worried about the "big receiver" thing as some of the fans are.

Evans would be nice but I just don't think we can afford to miss out on Dennard if he's there. I'm not so sure I wouldn't rather grab Hageman or Mosley or Gilbert than him either.

Benjamin scares me. He could be Keyshawn Johnson or he could be a fat Limas Sweed.

I'd be pretty happy if we went Dennard-Tuitt and grabbed our WR in the 3rd or 4th. Or you never know - if the team is confident in Wheaton and not worried about having a big-guy, we may not even grab one until late.

The draft could go anywhere but either way I don't think the WR corps is going to be one of the team's shortcomings this coming season.

[Mojouw]

ehhh these are pretty obscure statistics, a lot of variables could play into it probably. Back on topic, to those who dont have a problem with having the 3 midget musketeers compose the top of our WR depth chart, remind when the last time was when we were actually good in the red zone? Or even in the upper 1/3rd in the league in scoring? Yeah, exactly. Lets not pretend we dont "need" a big tall receiver. After 2 mediocre seasons, we arent in a position to say that anymore.Im going to have to respectfully disagree that our top 3 can replicate what the broncos, oilers, and redskins did. Dear lord baby jesus, just give me ONE big fella. Just one

In 2002 and 2003 (Burress two best statistical seasons with the Steelers) they scored on around 1/3 (35% and 27%)of their drives. In 2013 they scored on slightly better than 1/3 (35%) of their offensive drives.

I am having trouble finding #'s over time for red zone efficiency. But I will say this, I am not certain that a tall WR has any impact on that # at all. I think that having a solid protection scheme that keeps pass-rushers off the QB and then can also open actual running lanes for the backs would help red zone efficiency. If I remember correctly, when the Steelers have been good in the red zone, it was never due to overwhelming skill position talent, but a solid wall up-front.

It all starts there. A high talent OT would likely have more of an impact on red zone efficiency next season than a tall WR.

[Craic]

In 2002 and 2003 (Burress two best statistical seasons with the Steelers) they scored on around 1/3 (35% and 27%)of their drives. In 2013 they scored on slightly better than 1/3 (35%) of their offensive drives.

I am having trouble finding #'s over time for red zone efficiency. But I will say this, I am not certain that a tall WR has any impact on that # at all. I think that having a solid protection scheme that keeps pass-rushers off the QB and then can also open actual running lanes for the backs would help red zone efficiency. If I remember correctly, when the Steelers have been good in the red zone, it was never due to overwhelming skill position talent, but a solid wall up-front.

It all starts there. A high talent OT would likely have more of an impact on red zone efficiency next season than a tall WR.

IMPOSSIBLE! When Jerome Bettis was here and Cowher was coach, they scored on 90 percent of their offensive drives!

[steelreserve]

I would say our problem was we do have a high-talent OL, but a low-talent OL coach. I'm hoping the addition of Munchak will fix that. And also make it unnecessary to take any more goddamn linemen so early in the draft. We already have enough #1 and #2 OL picks on our roster to last a lifetime.

[Psycho Ward 86]

Well, what do we have

Brown 5'10"
Wheaton 5'11"
Moore 5'9"

Those are the only three I'd guarantee at this point will be on the opening day roster.

On the bubble -

Heyward-Bey 6'2" - not a midget but he's not a possession receiver either, okay fine.
Derek Moye - 6'5"
Justin Brown 6'3"
Jasper Collins 6'0"

Either Moye or Brown making the team combined with Heath on the field will pretty much settle that "big redzone target" you're after IMO.

It's also my opinion we're going to draft one WR... maybe two if either a crazy value falls to us *or* just a day-3 flier in general. So let's look at potential draft targets.

Mike Evans 6'4" 1st
Odell Beckham 5'11" 1st-2nd
Kelvin Benjamin 6'5" 1st-2nd
Donte Moncrief 6'2" 2nd
Martavis Bryant 6'3" 2nd-3rd
Jordan Matthews 6'3" 3rd
Brandon Coleman 6'6" 3rd (TE conversion project?)
Jared Abbrederis 6'1" 3rd-4th
Devin Street 6'3" 4th-5th
Jeff Janis 6'3" 6th-7th

Hardly exhaustive of course but here's most of the tall ones, plus a couple extra who have had buzz around here. Now to me, if they pick Moncrief or someone shorter than him, the team isn't nearly worried about the "big receiver" thing as some of the fans are.

Evans would be nice but I just don't think we can afford to miss out on Dennard if he's there. I'm not so sure I wouldn't rather grab Hageman or Mosley or Gilbert than him either.

Benjamin scares me. He could be Keyshawn Johnson or he could be a fat Limas Sweed.

I'd be pretty happy if we went Dennard-Tuitt and grabbed our WR in the 3rd or 4th. Or you never know - if the team is confident in Wheaton and not worried about having a big-guy, we may not even grab one until late.

The draft could go anywhere but either way I don't think the WR corps is going to be one of the team's shortcomings this coming season.

In 2002 and 2003 (Burress two best statistical seasons with the Steelers) they scored on around 1/3 (35% and 27%)of their drives. In 2013 they scored on slightly better than 1/3 (35%) of their offensive drives.

I am having trouble finding #'s over time for red zone efficiency. But I will say this, I am not certain that a tall WR has any impact on that # at all. I think that having a solid protection scheme that keeps pass-rushers off the QB and then can also open actual running lanes for the backs would help red zone efficiency. If I remember correctly, when the Steelers have been good in the red zone, it was never due to overwhelming skill position talent, but a solid wall up-front.

It all starts there. A high talent OT would likely have more of an impact on red zone efficiency next season than a tall WR.

i do not want scrubs that just happen to be on this team. And i most certainly am not looking for big scrub receivers that are lazy. If i just wanted a random big receiver then id be satisfied because we have derek moye/justin brown to loiter around and do absolutely nothing. Therefore, out of the before-mentioned receivers im only interested in:

Mike Evans 6'4" 1st
Donte Moncrief 6'2" 2nd
Jordan Matthews 6'3" 3rd
Jared Abbrederis 6'1" 3rd-4th
Devin Street 6'3" 4th-5th
Jeff Janis 6'3" 6th-7th

im excluding beckham not just because he doesnt fit the profile, but because i think we can get far better value later. And im including abbrederis because i think he's tremendously savvy and maybe the most underrated receiver in the draft. Oh, and im also biased because im a badger .

jordan matthews would be a dream. jordan matthews = jordy nelson

and also, Plaxico was a lazy, body-catching, alligator arming big receiver. i dont want a big receiver at the cost of having that kind of crap on the team.

[Mojouw]

But Plaxico was tall and tall WR's fix everything! I agree that a dominat physical mismatch of a WR would be a great thing to have. Only caveat being that I do not think there is a player that the Steelers will be in a position to draft that will really turn things around as a rookie.

As to the OL; this will be a an incredibly telling draft. If the take a OL in the first 3 rounds, then we will all have Munchak's answer on the talent the Steelers got for their high draft picks.
If we are quiet on that front until round 4 or later, then I would take that to mean that Munchak thinks he can work with the top 6-8 guys.

[Dwinsgames]

I'm not so sure I wouldn't rather grab Hageman or Mosley or Gilbert than him either.

If we draft Hageman in the first I might just shoot myself

[Shoes]

If we draft Hageman in the first I might just shoot myself

[tube517]

IMPOSSIBLE! When Jerome Bettis was here and Cowher was coach, they scored on 90 percent of their offensive drives!

[one side only]

A big tight end would do wonders for offensive production. How about Troy Niklas in the second?

[Shoes]

A big tight end would do wonders for offensive production. How about Troy Niklas in the second?

I don't think it will happen, but would be okay with it if it did. Ebron, Niklas, CJ …just so we get one of them.