The Steelers let Emmanuel Sanders leave in free agency; Jerricho Cotchery, too. They also didn't sign anyone of note, since their one-year flier on Darrius Heyward-Bey doesn't count. Lance Moore? He might not offer much at this point either. Given that, there is a good chance for Markus Wheaton to be one of the young breakout players at the position.
That's what ESPN's Scott Brown thinks, anyway, in his mailbag covering a variety of Steelers topics. Wheaton was the team's third-round pick a year ago, and he is the best bet to be the starter across from Antonio Brown this season.
He barely played last year, dealing with injuries and being well down the depth chart, but was productive at Oregon State, averaging 73 receptions his last three seasons. He also averaged 24 rushes, suggesting the Steelers could use him like Randall Cobb or Percy Harvin.
There's upside there. Maybe it's too quick to write off Moore (not Heyward-Bey), but Wheaton is the guy they want to take that No. 2 job. A player to watch in the preseason.
--Andy Richardson