A nervous sense began to build around Steelers nation when the team announced that Markus Wheaton would miss the season opener with a shoulder injury. The team was already heading into the game without Le’Veon Bell, Martavis Bryant and Ladarius Green on offense, and a group of unknowns was left to pick up the pieces behind Antonio Brown.

Eli Rogers, Jesse James and Sammie Coates all received their first career start on Monday, but the most impressive of the three had to be Rogers. Rogers was targeted seven times and he caught six passes for 59 yards and one touchdown. The touchdown was a deflection and was not intended for him, but it only helps his case to show such a heads up play. That all said, with Markus Wheaton and Ladarius Green potentially back this season, and Martavis Bryant potentially back next year, Eli Rogers should be a part of this team for the foreseeable future.

Eli Rogers Here To Stay

Footwork

It is almost undeniable at this point that Antonio Brown is the best wide receiver in the NFL. With that, most can point to his footwork being his most impressive trait as defenders typically have no idea when and where he will make his cuts. Rogers, entering his second year in the Steelers organization, has clearly learned from Brown in this regard. Eli Rogers cuts sharp and is smooth in his breaks. It gives him a chance to immediately create space off of the line of scrimmage. It is huge for quick passes. In averaging nine yards per reception last night, Rogers showed that he will be getting the majority of his work on those quick hitters.

The footwork to get open is one thing, but Rogers also possesses exceptional footwork in open space with the ball in his hands. He seems to know where traffic is and he is shifty enough to make multiple defenders miss. While it was only one game, to see his footwork show at such a high level can speak to an upside that many would not have suggested he had coming into the NFL.

Rogers Locked Up The Slot

Early on in training camp, the Steelers were adamant that Eli Rogers had won the slot receiver job, and Markus Wheaton, the former slot option would move outside to replace Martavis Bryant. From that point on, Rogers has been the slot option and there has been no competition for him entering the season.

The Steelers also mentioned that they would like to open up the passing game this year by running five wide receiver sets. Those receivers would feature the two outside options, Rogers in the slot, as well as a running back and tight end spread away from the offensive line.

The Steelers will obviously run a plethora of three-wide sets as well, but to see the need for the Steelers to consistently run formations with at least three wide receivers shows that Rogers is going to get a ton of playing time this year. Even with Markus Wheaton back, that should affect Sammie Coates on the outside more than any player. Rogers is locked into his role and the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger trust him in it.

Rogers Was the Number Two Receiver in Week One

Despite the slot designation, on most two wide receiver sets it was Rogers out there with Antonio Brown. There were some situations in which running the football seemed obvious and in those Darrius Heyward-Bey saw some action, but for the most part, it was Rogers. Rogers still did not go outside much, but it was clear from the jump that the team has more faith in Rogers than Coates on two wide receiver sets.

Markus Wheaton is a free agent this year

Who gets run in two wide receiver sets when Wheaton is healthy will be the key to watch when following Rogers and his progression. Smart money would say that Wheaton will still be on the field for the vast majority of those situations. However, the Steelers have an interesting situation with Wheaton. He is currently a free agent at the end of this season.

Rogers is locked into the slot, and the Steelers pushed Wheaton outside because of this. Sammie Coates had a couple of nice catches last night, and as mentioned on blocking situations Heyward-Bey becomes an option. This is all without the possible thought that Martavis Bryant will be demanding all of the time on the outside if he can return next season.

Therefore, of the six wide receivers listed on the roster, Wheaton is almost clearly the odd man out. Now, Wheaton is still a stronger option and has much more experience than Rogers’ head to head. However, it would not be a huge shock that as the year went on, Rogers began to see a higher percentage of snaps than Wheaton. It also would not be a surprise to see the Steelers shuffle Coates in on some of Wheaton’s snaps so that they can see what they may have in the second year receiver.

Conclusion

Last night showed that no matter what happens with Markus Wheaton, Eli Rogers is here to stay. Rogers has worked hard, he has the tools and he now is given an opportunity to become a long-term NFL player. He will have a role, and it may only increase from his seven targets last night. Yet again, the Steelers may have found another gem from the undrafted free agent department.

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