History suggests Steelers should wait until third round to draft a wide receiver

Mike Wallace 2009-2012, Steelers 84th overall selection

Hear was a great wide receiver that you hoped would stay with the Steelers. In four seasons with the Steelers, he posted 4042 yards with 235 receptions. In his rookie season, he did lead the NFL with 19.4 yards per reception, hauling in 72 catches for 756 yards. It’s hard to say where his career might have gone had he stayed in Pittsburgh with Big Ben, but in 2013 he opted for free agency and moved on to the Dolphins, not before leaving his mark with the Steelers.

He became a journeyman after leaving the Steelers and, oddly, in the ensuing six seasons, only managed 4030 total receiving yards. The same amount he amassed in 4 seasons with the Steelers. It only shows what one can do when one of the top 10 quarterbacks of all time is throwing you the ball. When Wallace got to Miami, he had Rayn Tannehill throwing him the ball, and Tannehill was no Roethlisberger.

Even though he went on to play for weaker teams, there is no denying Wallace had speed and talent and could be a difference-maker. In four seasons with the Steelers, he had 32 touchdowns. There’s no doubt that despite he moved on from the Steelers, they had found a gem when they drafted him in the 3rd round.