National Football League

Steelers draft WR Markus Wheaton in 3rd round

Published Apr. 26, 2013 10:51 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Pittsburgh Steelers have chosen former Oregon State wide receiver Markus Wheaton in the third round of the NFL draft.

The 6-foot-1 Wheaton caught 91 passes for 1,244 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Beavers in 2012. The Steelers are in need of depth at receiver after Mike Wallace left for the Miami Dolphins last month.

Wheaton also gives the Steelers some versatility. He also ran for 631 yards during his collegiate career with an average of 7.3 yards per carry.

The 22-year-old Wheaton will compete with veterans Plaxico Burress and Jerricho Cotchery for a spot behind starters Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders.