Mike Wallace: Could Pittsburgh Steelers Losing Star WR Be a Good Thing?

As we inch closer and closer to the start of NFL free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers have to be feeling a little nervous about their Mike Wallace situation.

Wallace, a restricted free agent this offseason, could be stolen away from the Steelers at a price their current salary cap doesn't allow them to match. Wallace would leave, but the Steelers would gain a first-round pick in the process. 

Most opine that any scenario in which the Pro Bowl receiver leaves Pittsburgh is a worst-case scenario. Not all share that opinion, apparently.  

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Press-Gazette thinks that gaining that extra first-round pick and saving some cap room might actually be beneficial for the Steelers.

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What would be the big deal about losing Mike Wallace? It would be one thing to just lose him in free agency and get nothing in return. But the Steelers would receive a first-round draft pick if they let him go.

Think about the possibilities. Many of those mock drafts have the Steelers selecting either a nose tackle or an offensive lineman, and there seems to be some uncertainty which the Steelers need most. If someone else signs Wallace and they let him go, the Steelers could draft both an offensive and defensive lineman on the first round.

They would still have two good receivers in Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders to build around, and save a whole lot under the salary cap. It doesn’t sound so bad to me.

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On paper, Bouchette's argument makes some sense. 

Another first-round pick would allow the Steelers to address their needs on the offensive and defensive lines with a top-35 talent. A nose tackle to replace Casey Hampton (Dontari Poe, Memphis?) and an interior guard (Cordy Glenn, Georgia?) would be a fine first-round haul. 

Brown and Sanders also appear to be young receivers capable of taking the next step.

But how much do we really know about Brown? He obviously benefited greatly from defenses rotating deep coverage to Wallace. In a No. 1 receiving role, would he be as effective?

And what about Sanders, who has struggled to stay healthy in his young career? Could he be counted on to take over the production that Brown provided as the No. 2 in 2011?

Those are question marks the Steelers would definitely have to ask themselves if this process progresses any further.

Is the draft pick compensation and salary-cap relief enough to part with such a dynamic offensive weapon?

I still think it would be hard to make that argument. Players like Wallace, who still is somewhat of a one-trick pony at this point in his career, simply do not grow on trees. They are a rare breed of football player that changes games.

If you don't believe me, go check out the film on the Steelers from the last two seasons. Notice where the safety on Wallace's side of the field plays on almost every down. His speed is widely respected, and that helps the Steelers offensive immensely.  

I'm just not sure adding an unheralded player like a nose tackle or guard and saving money on the salary cap would add up to losing a special talent like Wallace.