Markus

Wheaton

NFL rules prohibit players who haven’t graduated from college from participating in full-squad offseason workouts until they do. Wheaton did take part in rookie camp, but he’ll essentially miss all of OTA season. It’s a reminder that Wheaton isn’t a serious candidate to compete for a starting job as a rookie.

A versatile and lightning fast prospect, Wheaton will battle veteran Jerricho Cotchery for the No. 3 job. He’s getting a slow start as Oregon State’s late graduation has kept him out of OTAs, but has the raw talent to eventually win the gig. Wheaton could be in for a significantly bigger role in 2014 as Emmanuel Sanders will be an unrestricted free agent.

“He fits the new mold they’ve got there, guys who can win one-on-ones with quickness, but he’s also got big-play ability with top speed and feisty toughness,” Jeremiah said. “You can’t just label him as a possession (or vertical) guy. He can’t do all things at an elite level, but he’s capable of doing everything.” Wheaton should give fading veteran Jerricho Cotchery a run for his money in the battle for No. 3 duties.

Wheaton isn’t generating any spring buzz because he hasn’t been on the field. He took part in rookie camp, but missed OTAs. “He’ll get plenty of opportunities to show what he’s capable of to prepare himself to be a part of our outfit and help us,” coach Mike Tomlin promised. “We’ve dealt with this in the past.”

Wheaton, who stands 5-foot-11, 183, is drawing Mike Wallace comparisons after an impressive Senior Bowl week and helped himself with the 4.45 time, even if it isn’t as fast as Wallace. Wheaton is a projected second- or third-round pick.

The Steelers are claiming the lightning fast Wheaton will push Emmanuel Sanders for the starting split end spot, but that’s just a quality organization emphasizing competition. Wheaton figures to back up Sanders, help on special teams and get some slot reps as a rookie. He could have a bigger role in 2014 as Sanders is operating on a one-year contract.

The Steelers — who have a remarkable recent record drafting receivers — begin the process of replacing Mike Wallace. It was Wallace whom Wheaton (5-11, 189) was compared to at the Senior Bowl. Wheaton is an absolute burner, playing faster than his 4.45 forty indicates. He caught 91 passes for 1,244 yards (13.7 YPR) and 11 touchdowns as a senior, taking the lid off Pac-12 defenses. He was regularly the most explosive player on the field. A dynamic downfield target, Wheaton also drew pre-draft comparison to Brandon Lloyd. His play speed is much closer to Wallace’s.

“This guy has played the slot a bunch when he wasn’t outside,” Haley said. “He is a little wider base, a little more running back. He was in the slot. He was in the backfield. That tells us he’s a smart guy. Any time a coach feels comfortable moving a guy around a bunch like that, that’s good.” Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders will be the starters on the outside, but Wheaton should see significant snaps in the slot. If Heath Miller isn’t ready for Week 1, we can expect Haley to run a lot of three-wide sets.

Through two games, Wheaton has played 12 snaps and the Steelers are ranked 31st in total offense. They know it’s time to get the intriguing playmaker on the field. “I think you’ll start to see him getting in more this week,” Roethlisberger said. A three-wide set of Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders and Wheaton with Heath Miller (knee) returning would do wonders for the passing game. Jerricho Cotchery is a liability. Wheaton is a Dynasty hold in all formats and a deep-league stash in re-draft.

He did stay in the game and shouldn’t miss any time moving forward. Wheaton, the 79th overall pick in April’s draft, started the game in a three-receiver set and played a season-most 36 snaps. He finished with 26 receiving yards.