Steelers draft WR from Auburn in 3rd round

[hawaiiansteel]

by Bob Labriola
Steelers.com

* It seems the third-round selection of Sammie Coates didn’t sit well among some draft analysts, both professional and those who lurk in the comment sections throughout cyberspace. Drops too many passes. A luxury pick. Just another Martavis Bryant.

* Oh, no. What a disaster it would be if Coates were another Bryant. What could the Steelers ever do with eight receiving touchdowns from a rookie receiver again?

* The offense would have TWO big, really fast receivers who do nothing better than track the deep balls. Imagine Coates on one side of the formation and Bryant on the other, with Antonio Brown lining up wherever and Le’Veon Bell in the backfield next to Ben Roethlisberger.

* And as for the dropping of the balls, there is some belief that Bryant was actually a bit worse coming from Clemson, but those eight touchdowns sure compensated nicely. About Coates’ drops, wide receivers coach Richard Mann speculated that they might stem from concentration lapses or maybe from the way Coates positions his hands when making underneath catches. “But the thing is I’ve never seen any bad body language,” added Mann, “so he’s not afraid, and that’s a good thing.”

* A very good thing.

[URL]http://www.steelers.com/news/article...4-b9ba46c60944[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

[RuthlessBurgher]

Look like we found our goalkeeper.

[papillon]

Hard not to love this kid already, I hope he kills it this year. He's going to be a fan favorite.

Pappy

[Mr.wizard]

Looks like Marcus Wheaton's days are numbered.

[Discipline of Steel]

Looks like Marcus Wheaton's days are numbered.

I believe WheatThins days were already numbered

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Looks like Marcus Wheaton's days are numbered.

Maybe. But Wheaton improved last year, and I think his route-running and hands could continue to be a valuable asset for the Steelers for some time.

Doesn't hurt to have four good receivers. Let's get 'em all on the field sometimes and watch opposing defenses scramble.

[Mr.wizard]

I believe WheatThins days were already numbered

I agree, I think they where looking for him to have a break out season last year and he just didn't.

[Slapstick]

Wheaton caught 50 passes last year...he was part of the reason that the Steelers had a top offense. I expect him to improve even more this year...

[steelblood]

Physically he does resemble TO...Julio Jones was compared to TO for several reasons....ripped physique, highlight reel waiting to happen but oculd drop the easy ones too, a vicious blocker (make no mistake about it, he IS a great blocker).

I think this is pretty clear that Wheaton isnt in the long term plans, but wheaton could be a 3rd year WR breakout candidate too...i just dont really see it

wheaton runs better routes than Coates and Bryant who are more linear downfield big bodied receivers. It is good to have two of each type. Lots of options.

if either Bryant or Coates becomes an efficient route runner with reliable hands (in addition to their size, speed, and jumping ability), it would be like having two number one receivers

[Oviedo]

Wheaton caught 50 passes last year...he was part of the reason that the Steelers had a top offense. I expect him to improve even more this year...

I agree. Wheaton is an excellent route runner. That will keep him ahead of Coates for awhile

[Slapstick]

I also think in all of his targets last season, Wheaton had only two drops...I think he has value and will just get better...

[Discipline of Steel]

Ah maybe Im being too hard on the guy. He has his skill set and does his job. Im just not impressed with him like I am with Bryant, who has a different skill set.
WheatThin has certainly done enough to earn another year starting next to AB and build his reputation.

[Slapstick]

I agree with you that Bryant is the more impressive specimen. Wheaton has his own skill set as you pointed out...Haley needs to put both in positions to be successful.

[Oviedo]

Why would there be an assumption that Brown, Wheaton, Bryant and Coates wouldn't all be on the team as asset?

Who could possibly cover all four of those guys with Bell in the backfield?

I love what Bryant did last year but we need to see consistency out of him for a couple of years before I would be comfortable about losing Wheaton who is a solid NFL receiver. How about COates doing anything at all? After all didn't they give him "Sweed's cursed number?"