Due to his high salary cap number in 2024, veteran wide receiver Allen Robinson of the Pittsburgh Steelers will probably soon be released. That means that the newly appointed offensive coordinator for the Steelers, Arthur Smith, will probably add a receiver who is accustomed to his scheme to fill the role of WR3, a position that is unlikely to see a lot of targets and will be primarily used for blocking.
Unfortunately, at 5’9″ and 162 pounds, current Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin Jr. is too small to box out defenders; he will not be able to win the line of scrimmage. Although he makes an attempt, asking a linebacker or safety to consistently drive out of the way is simply too difficult for them. His offensive snap total would probably decrease with the addition of the possibilities the Steelers are exploring.
Not every receiver can square up and successfully block a defender; some will only obstruct the path. But, in order to convert those spectacular 20-yard run plays into 40-yard or even 60-yard runs, the downfield blocking of the receivers will need to significantly improve for a club like Pittsburgh that aspires to be run-dominant.
The Steelers may want to take a look at a few affordable receivers with a focus on blocking that are scheduled to become free agents this offseason. Unless they want to resign Allen Robinson to a lesser deal. The following free agents, who have worked under Arthur Smith at his most recent NFL trips, are ones the Steelers could want to pursue in free agency at a cost commensurate with their expectations.
Atlanta Falcons player Mack Hollins
30 years of age
Weight/Height: 209 pounds, 6’4″
Career Acknowledgments: 131
1,691 yards in career receiving yards
The NFL journeyman Mack Hollins’ career averages of 21.8 receptions and 281.8 yards per season clearly indicate that he is not much of a receiving threat. But he’s precisely the type of receiver you want to use in the blocking game to fill in for injured tight ends on occasion. But Hollins still has to be taken into consideration in the receiving game so that when he’s out there, a running play doesn’t seem to be approaching.
Hollins is a more experienced wide receiver than Allen Robinson, therefore they shouldn’t spend a lot of money on him. If forced to choose between the two, he is a much better blocker than Robinson. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if Robinson is cut loose and Hollins replaces him for a fair one-year contract.
Estimated market worth for Mack Hollins: $1.975 million in one year
NFL wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (Titans)
26 years of age
Weight/height: 211 pounds, 6′ 2″
Career Acknowledgments: 94
1,276 yards in career receiving yards
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, a wide receiver with the Tennessee Titans, is a younger bigger-body blocking option than Allen Robinson and Mack Hollins. Compared to Hollins, who hasn’t produced much as a receiver outside of one season, Westbrook-Ikhine may have more receiving potential. In each of his last three seasons, Westbrook-Ikhine has recorded 370+ receiving yards and three or more touchdowns.
The Steelers are more likely to want to sign him to a lengthier contract than they would an older player since he is a younger alternative. Similar to Hollins, Westbrook-Ikhine is a reliable blocker when it comes to the running game.
Estimated market value for Nick Westbrook-Ikhine: $5.25 million over two years
WR Van Jefferson, 27 years old, plays for the Atlanta Falcons
Weight/Height: 200 pounds, 6′ 1″
Career Acknowledgments: 113
1,600 career receiving yards
Van Jefferson, a wide receiver who was previously selected in the second round out of Florida, may have the greatest receiving potential among the free agents associated with Arthur Smith. Sean McVay, the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, was never able to get Jefferson going with the team. Given that Jefferson was partnered with one of the better deep passers in the game, Matthew Stafford, the quarterback for the Rams, this is a little surprising. After all, the Rams traded Jefferson to the Falcons in early October. Despite this, Jefferson did not have a particularly impressive season, totaling only 12 receptions for 101 yards in 12 games. But you can’t anticipate too much from a mid-season signing of a receiver.
With Raheem Morris, a well-deserving new head coach, joining the Falcons this off-season, it’s possible that Jefferson will be allowed to leave in free agency.
Market value estimate for Van Jefferson: $6 million in two years
Falcons wide receiver Keith Smith
31 years of age
Weight/height: 240 pounds, 6’0″
22 hurried efforts at a career
53 run yards in a career
Career Acknowledgments: 38
Career yards received: 238
Yes, Steelers fans, with a seasoned fullback leading the way, the team will revert to the classic I shape. Even though Keith Smith is a fullback and not a wide receiver—we’re talking about blocking in an Arthur Smith—he felt like he should be included.
Even though Connor Heyward might still get some snaps at that position, he’s more akin to former Steelers tight end/fullback Matt Cushing—a self-sufficient, multi-hat-wearing type whom former head coach Bill Cowher once mockingly referred to as “slush” rather than “slash.” Nevertheless, Smith is not as natural as a lead blocker, so the team will probably look to add an outside option. During Smith’s three seasons with the Falcons, fullbacks were used on 6.3% of offensive plays, which is the fifth-highest percentage in the league for both regular and postseason play.
Keith Smith should be directly identified by that search. They probably won’t offer him a long-term contract because he is an older athlete. He did, however, play under Arthur Smith for each of Smith’s three seasons as head coach of the Falcons, seeing action in all but one of Smith’s 13 games in 2023. Due to an ankle injury, he had to spend the final four games of the season on injured reserve; however, he should be well for the off-season program.
