Pittsburgh Steelers’ young receivers shine in preseason opener

Aug 10, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (88) is upended after a pass reception against New York Giants cornerback Corey Webster (23) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ first preseason game was littered with youthful mistakes and silly penalties. There were, however, flickers of excitement regarding the youth infusion at wide receiver.

Third-round draft selection Markus Wheaton proved to be the quick, sure-handed, and multi-faceted receiver they scouted. Wheaton still needs to prove he can block, but the Steelers need exciting players like Wheaton on their starting roster. After only one preseason game, he should be a lock for No. 3 wide receiver and a valuable backup for the oft-injured soon-to-be free agent Emmanuel Sanders.

Wheaton wasn’t the only young receiver who may belong on a NFL roster. This year’s sixth-round pick Justin Brown proved to be a solid outlet for backup quarterbacks Landry Jones and Bruce Gradkowski. The 6-foot-3 receiver was targeted six times and led all Steelers wideouts with 32 yards.

He had a great jumping catch on the sidelines, a play Steelers veteran Plaxico Burress has completed many times. Now that Burress is out for the season, Brown should get more opportunities to prove he is a capable NFL receiver. He might also be in the competition for punt returner now that David Gilreath has booted away his chances.

Aug 10, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Kashif Moore (19) returns a kick-off against the New York Giants during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Brown’s sky-ball catch was memorable vs. the Giants, but it was former West Virginia Mountaineer J.D. Woods who would have the play of the game on offense. Down 18-13 in the fourth quarter with 3:00 on the clock, Woods went up high to grab a 12-yard gain and a first down. Woods held on to the ball as he nearly completed a 360-degree aerial.

Woods also showed good awareness just a couple plays later when a bobbled snap forced John Parker Wilson to throw a quick sideline out. Woods deftly collected the ball while shuffling to keep in bounds for a 9-yard gain. Woods has the size and speed of Steelers great Hines Ward. A few more plays like these and he may force himself onto the practice squad roster at the very least – and more in the future. Steelers possession receiver Jerricho Cotchery is in the final year of his contract.

Potential kick/punt returners Reggie Dunn and Kashif Moore also had a catch apiece with zero drops between them. And 6-5 Derick Moye hauled in two balls for 22 yards. They are all hoping for more chances to shine in the upcoming exhibition weeks.While the young receivers impressed in the receiving game, running back Jonathan Dwyer appeared out-of-place. As backs coach Kirby Wilson pointed out in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

"He had only one carry we all disagreed with his decision with the ball. We’d like to have seen him make a couple plays in the passing game when he touched the ball, and that didn’t happen. But he’s a capable receiver, and we expect him to perform a little bit better in that area."

Wilson is too kind – Dwyer stunk as a receiver. He was targeted five times and caught just two, one for no gain and another lost a yard. Two of the other three balls thrown to Dwyer were catchable and had the potential to be huge plays.

His drop inside New York territory ended a key drive with Shaun Suisham’s second field goal. Todd Haley’s offense requires receivers who can catch. Dwyer’s performance may open the door for Baron Batch to get shot to show his receiving skills against Washington.