Will Steelers Draft Yet Another Wide Receiver This Year?

[hawaiiansteel]

what if Sanders doesn't make a full recovery?


Pittburgh Steelers Wide Receiver Emmanuel Sanders Has Second Surgery

Posted by Tom Jenkins April 5, 2011


For the second time this off-season, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders has had surgery on a broken foot, suffered in Super Bowl XLV against the Green Bay Packers.

Per Sanders’ Twitter account, his plan for the rest of the week is to kick back, elevate his foot and play video games. His recovery time is looking to be at the very least a month, but during the off-season that doesn’t seem to bad, especially with a 2011-2012 season seeming less and less likely as the weeks roll by.

Sanders caught 28 passes for 376 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie year, including seven catches for 91 yards in the playoffs, where he averaged 13 yards per catch.

The best thing about Sanders’ situation is the fact that he is constantly optimistic, going so far as to joke when asked about his status, he asked why Antwaan Randle El got an invitation to watch Hines Ward on Dancing With The Stars, whereas he was stuck at home doing the same.

Sanders looks to factor into the Steelers offense in a big way next season (pending, of course) and there are whispers that he may step into a starting role, with Mike Wallace taking over Ward’s position, and Sanders stepping into the spot that Wallace left available. Ward would of course still see plenty of playing time, as the Steelers would more than likely run quite a few more three wide receiver packages.

[url="http://www.steelerschronicle.com/2011/04/pittburgh-steelers-wide-receiver-emmauel-sanders-has-second-surgeryya.html/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_camp aign=Feed%3A+SteelersChronicle+%28Steelers+Chronic le%29&utm_content=Twitter"]http://www.steelerschronicle.com/2011/0 ... nt=Twitter[/url]

[jj28west]

Re: WR Emmanuel Sanders Has Second Surgery

I just hope he heals 100%. His game is so much all about quickness. Thanks for the update HS.

[hawaiiansteel]

Will Steelers Draft Yet Another Wide Receiver This Year?

Steelers Almost Yearly Drafting Of Wide Receivers Is Not Rocket Science


It is April and perhaps time for the Steelers to draft yet another wide receiver in the upcoming NFL draft. A quick look at the 2011 pre draft visit list combined with the draft history of the Steelers almost yearly drafting of wide receivers under Kevin Colbert and it does not take a rocket scientist to add two and two together to get to this conclusion, although it took me a little while to accept it. Since Colbert took over as the Director of Football Operations in 2000, the Steelers have drafted 13 receivers and have drafted at least one in all but two drafts dating back to 2000. Just last April the Steelers drafted Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown and both contributed during the run to the Super Bowl last season and Sanders had even overtaken veteran Antwaan Randle El as the #3 receiver by seasons end. The Steelers chose to trade away Santonio Holmes last April, so it was no surprise that Sanders was drafted and according to Colbert, Brown fell in their lap when he was still on the board in the 6th round.

The Steelers are currently stocked well at wide receiver for 2011 as Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Sanders and Brown all will return. Past that is where the Steelers might be concerned. Ward is signed through 2013, but he likely will only play two more seasons at the most. Wallace came into his own with a Pro Bowl like 2010 season, but he enters the final season of his rookie contract this upcoming season. The Steelers almost certainly will try to get him extended, but stranger things have happened. Sanders had a great rookie campaign and recently underwent his second surgery on his left foot that he broke in the Super Bowl. While the surgeries appear to be minor in nature, you never like to hear about a young receiver having a foot injury. Brown also contributed in his rookie season, but looks to need a bit more polishing as far as in-game recognition and route running goes. His talent certainly can not be denied though.

Outside of those four guys is where the question marks are. El was brought back on a three year deal last offseason and at the moment looks to be safe in 2011, but that is not a lock. Arnaz Battle was also signed last offseason to a three year deal, but is mostly regarded as a special teams player and there is no guarantee he will make the 53 man roster next season. 2008, 2nd round draft pick Limas Sweed is still under contract for 2011, but was lost last offseason to an Achilles injury. Sweed also seems to struggle with the mental aspect of the game as we have seen in his inability to catch. He needs a huge rebound to remotely have a chance at making out of Latrobe. The Steelers also have Tyler Grisham and Wes Lyons signed to the offseason roster, but the chances of either making it out of training camp are very slim.

While I expect Wallace to be extended, you have to wonder if the Steelers brass are concerned about the Sanders foot injury at all and while Brown certainly did contribute in 2010, he certainly has plenty room for improvement. Ward still is productive as a possession type receiver and dancer, but his retirement is not to far off in the distant future. The vertical passing game is a key component to the Steelers success and much like the linebacker position on defense; they constantly are looking to re-load it. While I do not think they will draft a receiver in the first two rounds of the upcoming draft, it is becoming quite obvious that at least one will be drafted from round three on. Based on all the facts I have mentioned, I think I just got my rocket scientist badge. Much like the drafting of linebackers, drafting of receivers seems to be a yearly tradition for the Black and Gold. The real question is: Will they draft more than one this year? To answer that, I will need to work on my clairvoyant badge.

POSTED BY DAVE BRYAN ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011 AT 1:11 PM

[url="http://www.steelersdepot.com/2011/04/steelers-almost-yearly-drafting-of-wide-receivers-is-not-rocket-science/"]http://www.steelersdepot.com/2011/04/st ... t-science/[/url]

[Oviedo]

Re: Will Steelers Draft Yet Another Wide Receiver This Year?

Jon Baldwin at #31 would qualify!!!!!

Everyone needs to realize that our WR group has some serious question marks:

Hines is a year older and year closer to retirement...ditto for Randle El
Sanders is coming off two surgeries to his foot...not good for a WR
Sweed is coming off a major ligament injury and may never make it back
Brown is still young
Wallace is still learning and we aren't really sure what he is

That is not a real strong situation if a few things work against us. That is why I would have no problem with them grabbing Baldwin if he is available at #31. IMO he would likely be the BPA left on the board. IMO it would be alot like Mendanhall falling into their laps and that turned out pretty good.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Will Steelers Draft Yet Another Wide Receiver This Year?

Jon Baldwin at #31 would qualify!!!!!

Everyone needs to realize that our WR group has some serious question marks:

Hines is a year older and year closer to retirement...ditto for Randle El
Sanders is coming off two surgeries to his foot...not good for a WR
Sweed is coming off a major ligament injury and may never make it back
Brown is still young
Wallace is still learning and we aren't really sure what he is

That is not a real strong situation if a few things work against us. That is why I would have no problem with them grabbing Baldwin if he is available at #31. IMO he would likely be the BPA left on the board. IMO it would be alot like Mendanhall falling into their laps and that turned out pretty good.

Everyone was projecting Mendenhall to go in the top half of the first round, so when he slid down to 23, it was a value pick. No one is predicting that Baldwin is a top half of the first round talent (the only WR's who qualify as such in this draft are A.J. Green and Julio Jones). Baldwin is not even the consensus "next-best" after the top tier guys. Many prefer Torrey Smith. Some put Leonard Hankerson over Baldwin as well. In fact, NFLDraftScout lists Baldwin as the 7th best WR prospect being Green, Jones, Smith, Hankerson, Randall Cobb, and Jerrel Jernigan. Baldwin's value is as a 2nd round pick. He is not a guy who would be "falling into their laps" at 31.

Lewis a star, Baldwin a bust at Pitt pro day
PUBLISHED Tuesday, Mar 15, 2011 at 7:25 pm EDT
Russ Lande
Sporting News

The shortest player at Pitt's pro day Tuesday made the biggest impression. Running back Dion Lewis was explosive, quick and fast during the timing and drills.

Lewis (5-6 5/8, 192) showed extraordinary change-of-direction skills to start and stop in a blink. Although he ran pass routes a bit upright, he did a great job catching the ball away from his body. He also fielded punts and kickoffs, struggling a bit tracking punts but showing the right skills as a kickoff returner. He must add special teams value since backs his size can't handle a big load.

Pitt receiver Jonathan Baldwin traps way too many balls against his body instead of reaching out and snatching them. (AP Photo)Jabaal Sheard went through defensive end and linebacker drills, showing the athletic ability to be highly productive at either position. He showed good explosiveness in his movements throughout the long workout. He has some growth potential to add some bulk to play end, too. He has been an under-the-radar prospect all fall but might surprise the masses with how high he is drafted April 28. He could be a late riser like Tyson Alualu, the No. 10-overall pick of the Jaguars in the '11 draft.

Offensive tackle Jason Pinkston is light on his feet. He has a shorter frame with a thick, powerful core. Although he is not an elite-level athlete, he moves well enough to play right tackle or shift inside to guard. He shows good lower-body flexibility, footwork in tight spaces and features a strong, short hand punch.

Wide receiver Jon Baldwin has been called a first-round prospect by some in the media, but that's just crazy talk. He is a big receiver with a tight upper body and almost zero quickness or acceleration off the line or out of breaks. He lacks zero elusiveness running after the catch, too. Although he didn't drop a pass in Tuesday's workout, he still traps way too many balls against his body instead of reaching out and snatching them. Plus, he trashed former coach Dave Wannstedt in the media after he was fired, turning off many NFL people who would have considered him as a backup receiver. Coaches make exceptions for me-first receivers with rare talent--that's not Baldwin.

Dom DeCicco, a college strong safety, worked out Tuesday with the linebackers. His only chance to play on defense in the NFL is as a weakside linebacker for a 4-3 scheme. For 3-4 teams, his upside is as a nickel linebacker and core special teams player. He is the definition of a slow-twitch, pedestrian athlete who overcompensates for his lack of athletic skills with great instincts and competitiveness. He could struggle to just make an NFL roster.

Defensive end Greg Romeus and fullback Henry Hynoski were unable to participate in Tuesday's workout because of injuries. Romeus is still recovering for a knee injury sustained in the middle of last season, and Hynoski is hampered by a pulled hamstring sustained at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Read more: [url="http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-03-15/lewis-a-star-baldwin-a-bust-at-pitt-pro-day#ixzz1IqZHH6K5"]http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2 ... z1IqZHH6K5[/url]

[Steelers>NFL]

Re: Will Steelers Draft Yet Another Wide Receiver This Year?

Jon Baldwin at #31 would qualify!!!!!

Everyone needs to realize that our WR group has some serious question marks:

Hines is a year older and year closer to retirement...ditto for Randle El
Sanders is coming off two surgeries to his foot...not good for a WR
Sweed is coming off a major ligament injury and may never make it backBrown is still young
Wallace is still learning and we aren't really sure what he is

That is not a real strong situation if a few things work against us. That is why I would have no problem with them grabbing Baldwin if he is available at #31. IMO he would likely be the BPA left on the board. IMO it would be alot like Mendanhall falling into their laps and that turned out pretty good.

Never make it back? He never made it to begin with...

[Jigawatts]

Re: Will Steelers Draft Yet Another Wide Receiver This Year?

Jon Baldwin at #31 would qualify!!!!!

Everyone needs to realize that our WR group has some serious question marks:

Hines is a year older and year closer to retirement...ditto for Randle El
Sanders is coming off two surgeries to his foot...not good for a WR
Sweed is coming off a major ligament injury and may never make it backBrown is still young
Wallace is still learning and we aren't really sure what he is

That is not a real strong situation if a few things work against us. That is why I would have no problem with them grabbing Baldwin if he is available at #31. IMO he would likely be the BPA left on the board. IMO it would be alot like Mendanhall falling into their laps and that turned out pretty good.

Never make it back? He never made it to begin with...

Limas in 2011-2012

[Oviedo]

Re: Will Steelers Draft Yet Another Wide Receiver This Year?

Jon Baldwin at #31 would qualify!!!!!

Everyone needs to realize that our WR group has some serious question marks:

Hines is a year older and year closer to retirement...ditto for Randle El
Sanders is coming off two surgeries to his foot...not good for a WR
Sweed is coming off a major ligament injury and may never make it backBrown is still young
Wallace is still learning and we aren't really sure what he is

That is not a real strong situation if a few things work against us. That is why I would have no problem with them grabbing Baldwin if he is available at #31. IMO he would likely be the BPA left on the board. IMO it would be alot like Mendanhall falling into their laps and that turned out pretty good.

Never make it back? He never made it to begin with...

Limas in 2011-2012

I'm pulling for the kid. if he can finally play to his potential that would be HUGE!!!!!!

[Jigawatts]

Re: Will Steelers Draft Yet Another Wide Receiver This Year?

Jon Baldwin at #31 would qualify!!!!!

Everyone needs to realize that our WR group has some serious question marks:

Hines is a year older and year closer to retirement...ditto for Randle El
Sanders is coming off two surgeries to his foot...not good for a WR
Sweed is coming off a major ligament injury and may never make it backBrown is still young
Wallace is still learning and we aren't really sure what he is

That is not a real strong situation if a few things work against us. That is why I would have no problem with them grabbing Baldwin if he is available at #31. IMO he would likely be the BPA left on the board. IMO it would be alot like Mendanhall falling into their laps and that turned out pretty good.

Never make it back? He never made it to begin with...

Limas in 2011-2012

I'm pulling for the kid. if he can finally play to his potential that would be HUGE!!!!!!

If Limas could get it together I'd be the biggest Limas Sweed fan out there.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Will Steelers Draft Yet Another Wide Receiver This Year?

Jon Baldwin at #31 would qualify!!!!!

Everyone needs to realize that our WR group has some serious question marks:

Hines is a year older and year closer to retirement...ditto for Randle El
Sanders is coming off two surgeries to his foot...not good for a WR
Sweed is coming off a major ligament injury and may never make it backBrown is still young
Wallace is still learning and we aren't really sure what he is

That is not a real strong situation if a few things work against us. That is why I would have no problem with them grabbing Baldwin if he is available at #31. IMO he would likely be the BPA left on the board. IMO it would be alot like Mendanhall falling into their laps and that turned out pretty good.

Never make it back? He never made it to begin with...

Limas in 2011-2012

I'm pulling for the kid. if he can finally play to his potential that would be HUGE!!!!!!

If Limas could get it together I'd be the biggest Limas Sweed fan out there.

me too, but this year is definitely his last chance with the Steelers...

[Eich]

Re: Will Steelers Draft Yet Another Wide Receiver This Year?

I'll be SHOCKED if Limas comes back to do anything of signficance. Mental/insecurity issues and achilles issues? That would be some major hurdles for a WR to overcome. I'd be happy for him for sure if he does it but I'll be shocked.

[Dee Dub]

Re: Will Steelers Draft Yet Another Wide Receiver This Year?

I say take a flyer in the late rounds on Va_Tech QB Tyrod Taylor and force his hand. WR or nothing. He could be very special if he dedicated himself to WR. Good size, good speed, and a tremendous athlete.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Will Steelers Draft Yet Another Wide Receiver This Year?

2011 NFL Draft: Are Pittsburgh Steelers Eying Hometown Kid Jonathan Baldwin?

By Nick Sero (Contributor) on April 13, 2011



Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

It is no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers have been moving away from their old ground-attack offense toward a more spread offense. Ben Roethlisberger has emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and the Steelers think that just having Roethlisberger can steal them a few a games each season.

So why wouldn't the Steelers want to build around Roethlisberger and keep him progressing?

The Steelers have taken Roethlisberger into consideration before in the draft. Roethlisberger saw what it was like having a tall receiver in his rookie year, Plaxico Burress' last season as a Pittsburgh Steeler. Since then, he has publicly stated his request for a taller receiver, even getting under Hines Ward's skin with the request.

The Steelers went out and got Ben that tall receiver that year, and with almost zero success.

That receiver was Limas Sweed, who spent the entire 2010 season on IR and saw two rookie receivers contributing on a regular basis. Sweed only made the field at the end of his rookie season, dropping easy touchdown passes in both appearances.

Sweed then fell victim to just bad luck. He's suffered multiple injuries over his tumultuous career, which is now up in the air.

So will the Steelers try to find their next tall receiver again in this year's draft?

There are two men Baldwin has to convince first...



Karl Walter/Getty Images

Despite their poor history of drafting said receiver, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the Steelers go after a receiver as early as the second round.

Jonathan Baldwin has a history at Heinz Field. He played all his home collegiate football games there while a University of Pittsburgh Panther and even played his high school football playoffs there. Baldwin even trained in the same facility as the Steelers, so the idea that the Steelers could have Baldwin in their sights is reasonable.

Baldwin is listed at 6'4" and about 225 pounds, but comes with added issues.

Baldwin isn't exactly the Steeler or Mike Tomlin type. Tomlin drafts the type of players that fit the team mentality of the Steelers, something Baldwin could raise some red flags over. His transgressions as a young college student, including an assault charge, were dismissed, but the Steelers would have to be sure there is no real fire with that smoke.

Baldwin actually had a lengthy sitdown with both Tomlin and Steelers GM Kevin Colbert, according to CBS Pittsburgh. The Steelers don't need any more off-field distractions and certainly won't be going after a receiver with a troubled past any time soon (Santonio Holmes has ruined it for divas in Pittsburgh).

There is the chance that Baldwin proved himself to the Steelers brass in that meeting. If that's the case and the Steelers feel the potential is there, I wouldn't be surprised if Baldwin plays all three levels of football in his hometown.

[url="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/663896-2011-nfl-draft-rumor-mill-are-steelers-considering-hometown-kid"]http://bleacherreport.com/articles/6638 ... metown-kid[/url]

[Shawn]

Re: Will Steelers Draft Yet Another Wide Receiver This Year?

I would rather have Pettis myself.

[steelblood]

Re: Will Steelers Draft Yet Another Wide Receiver This Year?

There are some interesting receivers in this draft.

I like...

Hankerson in the second
Denarius Moore in the fourth or fifth
Raymond Webber in the seventh