One Massive Need Steelers Have for Arthur Smith’s Offense

MOBILE, Ala. — The Pittsburgh Steelers’ new hire of Arthur Smith will end up shifting some of their needs on the board. For example, with as much 12 personnel as Smith plays, the need at slot receiver is lessened. But that does mean that the need at receiver itself is much less than what it was before he came on board.

If the Steelers do want to add a wide receiver in this class, and I bet they will, the Senior Bowl probably is where that guy will come from. That’s just a guess, not a spoiler, but this event has five players who make sense to fit that entire mold. For one, Western Kentucky’s Malachi Corley is built like a running back, similar to Deebo Samuel, but does play differently than the 49ers star. Corley has a physicality to his game and is not afraid to get out there and block.

In a similar area, Xavier Legette reminds you, build-wise, of A.J. Brown. Roman Wilson, Ricky Pearsall, and Ladd McConkey each have proven to be expert route runners who can separate. In toher words, they will find what they are looking if they really wnat to land someone in this class.

And while Arthur Smith’s offense might run a lot of 12 personnel, it does rely on players who can create easy yards after the catch and be dangerous with the ball in their hands. Oftentimes, those quick screens help extend the guardrails in the offense to allow the quarterback to succeed. One more receiver would help break the offense open in that regard, and a power-blocker could help push forward the run game component of his offense. That’s why, with all the needs they have, I still consider wide receiver to be a significant one, even if it is not quite as large as it wold have been without a system like Smith’s coming into town.