The Pittsburgh Steelers clashed with the Buffalo Bills on Saturday afternoon in preseason action, and the Black and Yellow moved the ball efficiently through the air early. While wide receiver Martavis Bryant was the primary beneficiary of Pittsburgh’s quest to shred the Bills secondary, fellow wideout Markus Wheaton didn’t experience similar success.
Here’s a look at how the two pass-catchers performed in enemy territory:
Bryant was sensational. Not only did he average 46 yards per catch, buoyed by a 63-yard bomb from backup quarterback Michael Vick, but he also took a 39-yard pass from Landry Jones to the house in the second quarter.
You can view Bryant’s long-distance hookup with Vick below, courtesy of NFL Network on Twitter:
While Bryant is reportedly facing a four-game suspension for multiple failed marijuana tests, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, he’s still being drafted as the 25th receiver off the board—right between Jeremy Maclin and Jarvis Landry—according to FantasyPros.com.
And that shouldn’t change.
A breakout candidate who would be worth drafting as a top-20 receiver if it weren’t for his potential suspension, Bryant can offer owners stellar value, assuming they roster enough depth to withstand a four-week absence.
As for Wheaton, the 24-year-old had only one opportunity to make his presence felt, though he did well to haul in a 20-yard catch.
Moving forward, he should be viewed as a flex play in deeper leagues while Bryant serves his suspension—particularly if owners can grab him late. At present, he’s being drafted as the 53rd receiver, per FantasyPros.
If Wheaton can put together a few solid weeks before Bryant returns, owners should aim to sell high and capitalize on the outside speedster’s peak value.
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