The Pittsburgh Steelers have announced the signings of two of their selections in the 2013 NFL Draft, third-round pick, wide receiver Markus Wheaton and fifth-round pick, cornerback Terry Hawthorne. Financial terms were not disclosed, but both contracts are four-year rookie deals.
Wheaton (5-11, 182), was the 79th overall pick in this year’s draft and played his collegiate ball at Oregon State. Wheaton recorded a school-record 227 receptions and ranks third on the school’s all-time receiving yards list (2,994) and sixth on the school’s all-time receiving touchdowns list (16). Wheaton had an accomplished senior season, including being named first-team All-Pac 12 Conference and second-team All-American.
With the departure of Mike Wallace to Miami, Wheaton’s speed could help Big Ben and company pick up some of Wallace’s missed production. Wheaton projects to slot in as the team’s third receiver behind Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders.
Hawthorne (6-0, 195) was the 150th overall selection in this year’s draft and was one of the few bright spots on a depleted Fighting Illini team. The two-time All Big-Ten honorable mention (2011-12) saw action in 44 career games, making 26 starts. Hawthorne recorded 163 tackles, 12.5 TFLs and six interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns.
Hawthorne is a freakish athlete who might have slipped a bit due to the team he played on, as evidenced in 2009 when Hawthorne earned All Big-Ten Freshman honors. With the recent departure of Keenan Lewis to New Orleans in free agency, Hawthorne could contend with veteran defender William Gay for playing time this season. With some development in his rookie season, Hawthorne could very well be a young starter on a veteran-laden team.
After the recent signings, Pittsburgh has now signed four of their nine selections from the 2013 NFL Draft.
