2014 NFL Draft: Pittsburgh Steelers Reportedly Will Look For Tall Receiver Early
By Matt Shetler
Since the 2013 season ended, we have looked at many of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ needs entering the offseason.
While there are tons of holes on the defensive side of the ball, we keep coming back to the wide receiver position and the need for another, preferably tall, weapon for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
With both Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery slated to be free agents and one or both likely to be gone, the need is there.
Jan 6, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers during the second half of the 2014 BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Roethlisberger has always wanted a tall receiver and it looks like the Steelers are committed to getting him one, as they will reportedly target one early in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Post-Gazette reporter Gerry Dulac speculated on the idea during his weekly chat by saying:
"“I think they will stick with what they have, plus draft a tall receiver in the first or second round,” Dulac wrote in response to a question regarding Sanders. “I think they will let Sanders leave in free agency for a number of reasons and are perfectly comfortable thinking Markus Wheaton will not only replace him, but also be a much better receiver.”“Their intent is to take a tall receiver early – they have already indicated that to Ben Roethlisberger – another indication that Sanders will be gone.”"
It’s a plan that makes sense and guys that could be on the radar are Texas A&M’s Mike Evans and Florida State’s Kelvin Benjamin in the first round.
If Evans is available, which I doubt, there is no way the Steelers will pass on him despite other needs. Benjamin is also a guy who has been linked to the Steelers so far in the offseason and is another guy I would love in the first round.
Other options could include Vanderbilt’s Jordan Matthews or Penn State’s Allen Robinson in the late first or early-to-middle second round.