For the first time in many years, it’s the Pittsburgh Steelers who are going to open the regular season with tons of questions on the offensive side of the ball. With the departure of Santonio Holmes to the New York Jets, the receiving core for the Steelers has only one established name on it and that’s Hines Ward. But when you look inside the numbers, you will notice that there is another wide receiver ready to make a splash for Pittsburgh and he is definitely flying under the radar, Mike Wallace.
Mike Wallace WR- Pittsburgh Steelers
ADP: 76th – 24nd WR selected
By the Numbers:
- With and ADP of 76 Mike Wallace is being drafted way to early. Consider Wallace a high "risk reward" receiver that you'd want to grab in the 8th round.
- Wallace is expected to catch between 50 and 60 balls this year; even with the absence of Big Ben for 4-6 games.
- Hines Ward will draw the double and or better DB giving Mike Wallace room to wiggle.
- Averaging 19 yards per reception last season as a rookie, you have to expect Leftwich and Roethlisberger to find him for numerous long touchdowns, as Wallace is very adept at stretching the field.
Summary:
The reason the Pittsburgh Steelers basically gave away their best receiver to an AFC contender [except for his off the field issues], was because they knew they had a very similar receiver waiting in the wings to take his place. After scoring 6 touchdowns and raking in over 750 yards receiving last season as a rookie, fans and media combined got the feeling that Mike Wallace soon would become the main target in the Steel City; but no one thought it would come this soon. The minute Holmes got traded to the Jets, the Mike Wallace era started and now only time will tell if he can fill the shoes of a Super Bowl MVP.
