Without Martavis Bryant suspended this season, one of the bigger questions in Pittsburgh Steelers training camp is who can emerge behind Antonio Brown at wide receiver. While the easy guess is Markus Wheaton, other names are stepping up this off-season and getting praise. Ed Bouchette of the Post-Gazette sees Eli Rogers potentially taking a big step forward from the practice squad to a starting slot wide receiver.

He wrote,

“Eli Rogers could be a starting slot receiver for the Steelers because some believe he is that good and they would like to put Markus Wheaton on the outside to pair him with Antonio Brown”

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Rogers had a strong preseason in 2015 and caught the Steelers eye as an undrafted rookie. Now in year two, he is on their radar for a real role. Sammie Coates is another player in year two, and he has received a good amount of praise from the team this offseason as well.

With Bryant in the lineup; Brown and Bryant would typically line up outside with Wheaton is the slot. Coates is an outside receiver, and would be looking to take on Bryant’s role from last year more than Wheaton’s. With Rogers seeing time in the slot, things get cloudy regarding where Wheaton may go.

Looking at the contract of Markus Wheaton, he is going to be a free agent this off-season. He only has 103 catches and seven touchdowns in his first three seasons. With talented competition getting praise on the outside and in the slot, it could be an indication that they have no problem moving on from Wheaton.

This season they may rotate Wheaton between the slot and outside with Coates and Rogers to see if the two younger receivers are ready. If they can take advantage of their chances, Wheaton is extremely expendable. Even if they do not, there is the hope that Bryant is back next year, and one of them becomes more of a No. 4 option.

The Steelers will enter 2017 with Bryant, Rogers, Coates, Antonio Brown and Darius Heyward-Bey under contract. Add in their strong ability to draft and develop wideouts and it could be no surprise to see them slowly phase out Markus Wheaton this year.