Impact Analysis: Steelers give Big Ben a big WR

May 2, 2008 @ 08:08:26

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Herija C. Green

It looks like the Pittsburgh Steelers listened to their All-Pro quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. After Roethlisberger called for the team to bring in a taller receiver mid-January, the team nabbed University of Texas wide receiver Limas Sweed (wrist) with their second-round pick (53rd overall) in the 2008 NFL Draft. It won't be known how much of an impact Roethlisberger's words had on the team; however, the chance to bring in a receiver with Sweed's physical talents was apparently too much to pass up. Sweed gives the Steelers the type of red zone threat they haven't had since losing receiver Plaxico Burress to the New York Giants.

The new guy

Sweed was a preseason All-American this past year at Texas. However, a wrist injury limited him to just six games before he underwent season-ending surgery. His four-year totals are 124 receptions for 1,915 yards and 20 touchdowns. The majority of those came during his junior season (46-801-12).

His wrist injury was a big reason he dropped on some draft boards. He tried to participate in practice at the 2008 Senior Bowl, but was forced to withdraw after two days. According to Sweed, his wrist is healed, but he had not regained full motion by the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine.

As stated above, Sweed gives the team some height at a position were they are thin. He stands 6-foot-4 and ran a 4.48 40-yard dash at the combine. He has a long stride, which eats into a defender's cushion and helps him get deep. He does lose concentration at times, but he has great leaping ability and good hands. This should make him a threat around the end zone, which is where Roethlisberger wanted some help. He also has enough strength to break tackles working across the middle.

The Steelers have to be excited to add Sweed to a group that already features incumbent receivers Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes. Steelers receivers coach Randy Fichtner feels the team will have a strong group with those three and wide receiver Nate Washington.

Sweed has the look of a No. 3 or No. 4 receiver entering camp and is expected to battle with Washington in camp for the role. Either way, he could create significant matchup problems working against nickel and dime backs out of the slot. Teams may need to match up taller cornerbacks if they want to lessen Sweed's impact.

The old guard

Roethlisberger's comments likely weren't a dig at returning starters Ward or Holmes; you can't teach height after all. Holmes stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 189 pounds, while Ward checks in at 6-foot, 205 pounds. Both are shifty wide receivers that don't possess the physical attributes of Sweed - or Burress for that matter - but they know how to use what they have. The drawback is they don't create many mismatches with their size.

Ward caught 71 passes last year for 732 yards and seven touchdowns. He is one of the top blocking receivers in the run game (just ask John Madden), which is important in this offense. Holmes, the team's first-round pick in 2006, was much improved from his rookie season. He increased his receiving yards from 824 to 942 yards and his touchdowns from two to eight. He led the team in both categories. Both are virtual locks to remain in the starting lineup.

The next receiver on the list, Washington, finished last year with 450 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He was re-signed this offseason and gives the Steelers another solid option.

Fantasy outlook

It is hard to get a gauge on Sweed's fantasy value at the moment with it just being May. The Steelers offense does not throw the ball very often (27.6 pass attempts per game last year - 31st in the NFL) and with running back Rashard Mendenhall on board, they could rely even more heavily on the run in order to get both backs enough touches.

If you are in early-draft leagues, consider Sweed as no better than a weak No. 5 wide receiver and someone that probably shouldn't be drafted in basic single-year leagues. Receivers generally need a couple of seasons to adapt, and Sweed should not be viewed any differently.

Ward and Holmes shouldn't lose much value; however, a drop in touchdowns is not out of the question. For now, consider Holmes a solid No. 2 option and Ward a decent No. 3, though his numbers have declined in four consecutive seasons. Washington's value is nearly non-existent, and he should not be drafted regardless of format.

KFFLians are saying....

Comment

 

---

What do you think? We want to hear from you!

Name: E-mail: Please, enter the number that you see

Comment Guidelines

Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.

Talk Sports 24/7!
KFFL Sports Forums: Over 24,000 strong and growing!

Impact Analysis: Dallas Cowboys' backfield (08/02)
Impact Analysis: Nate Burleson, WR, Detroit Lions (07/29)
Fantasy Football Impact Analysis: Cleveland Browns backfield (06/15)
Impact Analysis: Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions (11/13)
Impact Analysis: Pittsburgh Steelers RBs (10/17)
Impact Analysis: Steve Slaton, RB, Houston Texans (09/24)
Impact Analysis: New Orleans Saints RBs (09/23)
Impact Analysis: John Carlson, Seattle Seahawks (08/28)
Impact Analysis: Ted Ginn Jr., Miami Dolphins (08/25)
Impact Analysis: Pittsburgh Steelers backfield (08/07)