Steelers Meet With A Promising Receiver That Was Responsible For Memorable Misstep At Acrisure Stadium In 2022

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been very busy this offseason signing free agents and re-signing current players. They also have been spending a considerable amount of time prepping for the 2023 NFL Draft. That includes attending pro days, the NFL Scouting Combine, and hosting prospective players at the Steelers facility. One of the prospects with a recent visit is Bryce Ford-Wheaton, a receiver from West Virginia University. 

Ford-Wheaton isn't a total stranger to Pittsburgh's Acrisure Stadium. He played there with the Mountaineers against the University of Pittsburgh. The Panthers met the Mountaineers at Acrisure for their season opener and it left many Pitt fans thanking Ford-Wheaton for letting the ball slip through his fingers, literally. 

West Virginia's offense fought hard during the "Backyard Brawl" and it looked like they were poised to win the game. Quarterback J.T. Daniels had thrown two touchdowns and both were to Ford-Wheaton. 

The game was tied at 31-31 in the fourth quarter when Daniels threw another pass to Ford-Wheaton. Unfortunately for Daniels and the Mountaineers, it went right through Ford-Wheaton's waiting hands and into the arms of Pitt's defensive back M.J. Devonshire. Devonshire was able to run the ball back for a touchdown that won Pitt the game. 

Steelers Meeting With Ford-Wheaton

Ford-Wheaton has garnered quite a bit of attention despite playing for a team that finished 5-7 for the season. The 6'4", 221 lb. receiver was one of the few bright spots on that team. He has performed well enough, according to Trib Live, that the Steelers asked him to come to the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex to meet with them. 

During his time at West Virginia, he started 32 of the 46 games he played in. He had 143 catches for 1,867 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns during his time with the Mountaineers. 

His skills were on display at the NFL Combine, where he showed off his ridiculous speed. Despite being tall, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds. That made him the third-fastest receiver this year. He also tied for the top spot in the vertical leap with 41 inches. 

Ford-Wheaton is considered to be a solid day-three pick by most analysts. While he has some definite positives, there are also still some areas where he needs growth. 

He is fast, and tall, with a big wingspan that helps him grab those jump-balls. He has good hands and is able to use his body as a shield while he reels the ball in. However, his talent is very raw. He might be fast, but struggles to break free and separate from coverage. While he is agile he doesn't have great footwork. He also does not have the instincts he needs to anticipate the defenders. His day three projection is because he is a bit of a project. 

However, a wide receiver project is exactly what the Steelers specialize in. They aren't called "Wide Receiver University" for no reason. Ford-Wheaton does have that raw talent. According to RAS, he is comparable to Chase Claypool or Calvin Johnson. That might make him a solid candidate to come and compete for that WR3 spot the Steelers have. 

Right now, Pittsburgh has Diontae Johnson at one and George Pickens at two, but there will definitely be a training camp/preseason competition for the third spot. Calvin Austin III, coming off his injury last season, is a bit of an unknown quantity. He got hurt so early in the preseason that it is a challenge to even project his possible abilities. 

It seems unlikely the Steelers would go for a receiver with their first pick, they need help in the trenches too much, but it is likely they go for one later in the draft - possibly the third or fourth round. After all, they have not signed any receivers during free agency.  

What do you think about Ford-Wheaton? Do you think the Steelers should draft a wide receiver? If so, in which round? Do you think that Ford-Wheaton has the talent to take his game to the next level in the pros? Click to comment below.  

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