Last year the Pittsburgh Steelers chose to only carry four wide receivers on their 53-man roster to start the season. More receivers came in later on due to injuries, but Todd Haley’s offense uses two-tight end sets and pass-catching running backs, which makes four to five receivers plenty. With some younger and less experienced receivers expected to play a role for the Steelers in 2013 it seems likely they will carry five receivers this year to have some extra depth.
Right now the Steelers starting receivers are expected to be Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders. The players competing for spots behind those two are rookies Markus Wheaton, the Steelers third round pick, and Justin Brown, one of the Steelers sixth round picks, as well as veterans Jerricho Cotchery, David Gilreath and Plaxico Burress.
Wheaton, as the team’s third round pick, is guaranteed to make the roster as a rookie. He is also expected to make an instant impact on the team with his speed and route-running abilities. If he impresses the coaching staff during OTAs and training camp he could potentially serve as the team’s third receiver and play in the slot. He could also play on the outside in three receiver sets, which would allow Brown and Sanders to see time in the slot, both of whom have experience there and have the size and speed to excel in that role.
Outside of those three players there will be another two roster spots up for grabs. That is unless the Steelers chose to only carry four receivers for the second straight year. They could also carry six receivers, but the only way that seems likely is if undrafted rookie Reggie Dunn wins a roster spot and if he does it will be as a return man more so than as a receiver.
Those two spots will be up for grabs during training camp and the Steelers could go multiple directions with what they chose to do. However, the most anticipated decision is that they will keep Cotchery as their fourth receiver. Cotchery provides the Steelers with a veteran presence and a player that can come through in tight situation on third down and in the red zone.
That would leave only one position for Gilreath, Brown and Burress. With Heath Miller expected to miss the start of the season recovering from a torn ACL the Steelers may want to carry a tall receiver that can help in the red zone. A red zone threat at receiver would be important for the team. Over the past few years the Steelers have struggled when it comes to wide receivers catching touchdown passes in the red zone.
A tall receiver that can high point the ball and make plays could be a huge asset to the team; it is also something that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has wanted since Burress left Pittsburgh back in 2005. Burress, however, may not fill that role for the Steelers. Brown, the Steelers sixth round pick, played receiver at Penn State and Oklahoma during college and is a tall target at 6’3″.
The thing that could make Brown standout as the better option as a fifth receiver is his play on special teams. Brown returned punts during his college career and could play on coverage teams. Burress is not a special teams player and the Steelers rarely carry players low on the depth chart, either player would be the fifth receiver on the depth chart, that don’t also play on special teams.
Gilreath could also have a shot at the roster if he shows improvement this off-season. He gained a lot of fans during the 2012 pre-season and he can return kicks and play on kick coverage. However, Brown seems to have the inside edge as he will have four years of control for the Steelers on his first NFL contract. Those extra years of control and lower cap hit could give him an extra advantage.
Burress’ other chance at making the roster in 2013 is outplaying Cotchery this off-season. The Steelers right now don’t seem likely to carry both veteran receivers, but if Burress outplays Cotchery this off-season he could be the team’s fourth receiver. One thing that could work against Cothcery is his $1 million cap hit, which is the largest of any non-starter on the roster.
