Wide Receiver
Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2024 6:05 pm
The Run and Shoot
Air Coryell
The West Coast Offense
Air Artie?
The Run and Smith??
I’ll work on it.
I read more than I listen, but living here in Atlanta I can’t escape the laughter from Falcons' fans (ok Falcons' fan) and the local sports talk show hosts that stems from former Falcons’ head coach Arthur Smith being my team’s new OC.
The prevailing root of that laughter is Arthur failing to utilize three…that’s 3…skill position players drafted consecutively in the top 8 (Kyle Pitts, Drake London, Bijan Robinson).
I’d argue that perhaps GM Terry Fontenot and Uncle Artie simply weren’t on the same draft page resulting in Artie being overruled by his GM.
I’d also argue that perhaps those three…that’s 3…skill position players drafted consecutively in the top 8 were simply overrated, perhaps vastly so (Jahmyr Giibbs says Hi) .
I’d also argue that perhaps not having a qualified quarterback to utilize said skill players was the primary issue with Artie and the Falcons offense (sounds familiar).
Anyway, my disdain for Arthur Smith is driven by his personality (or lack thereof).
I am willing to take a wait and see approach with how he proceeds in fixing a broken Steelers’ offense.
Again, I read more than I listen.
So when Fury posters write that Arthur likes his skill players big and will largely ignore WRs 3-5, I’ll listen (With the Steelers absent a legitimate NFL quarterback, I lack any motivation to do any actual research here).
I don’t think it’s a big secret that after Pickens and DJ (both of whom I personally find unlikable), the Steelers got nothin’ at WR, big or small.
The fragility of the modern athlete is one of many things rapidly turning me off to the NFL.
It’s not the team with the most talented roster, but the team with the deepest roster that survives the never-ending season.
My theme to these positional write-ups has been to build the trenches and build overall depth on the roster until the next franchise QB is found (hopefully before I die).
If I wake up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I won’t be more surprised if the Steelers trade Dionte Johnson.
My guess is they’ll let his contract expire and take the comp pick.
Still, I see nothing wrong with being prepared for his imminent departure or addressing DEPTH by tapping into a LOADED WR draft class.
However,
With limited draft capital (which could be even more limited should your Steelers trade for Justin Fields) the Steelers could opt to do their usual dumpster dive into free agency:
Artie’s Comfort Food:
• Nick Westbrook-Ikhine Titans – 6’2 211- Assuming size matters. Artie connection to the Titans
• Mack Hollins Falcons- 6’4 221- Please God no.
• Khadarel Hodge Falcons 6’2 203- This is my brother Khadarel, this is my other brother, Khadarel.
• Van Jefferson Falcons- 6’1 200- Damn the Falcons WR corps SUCKED. How did Falcons GM Terry Fontenot not get shown the door with Uncle Artie?
• Olamide Zaccheus Eagles- 5’8 193- Apparently it’s not the size that matters. Another Falcons connection.
• Scotty Miller Falcons- 5’9 174- Please God no.
Sure they’re big, but you’re not sniffing Tee Higgins, Mike Pittman, or Mike Evans:
• Noah Brown Texans- 6’2 215- Former Buckeye is a not so sleeper name I’ve read as a possible Steelers signing.
• Jauan Jennings 49ers -6’3 212- Actually my top option, but alas he’s a RFA not UFA.
• Gabriel Davis Bills 6’2 210- Playoff Gabe burned the Steelers a time or two.
• Tyler Boyd Bengals- 6’2 203- Pitt kid. Doesn’t seem too fond of his hometown team.
• Donovan Peoples-Jones Lions- 6’2 212- Didn’t take a big year 4 leap like former scUM teammate Nico Collins.
• Cedrick Wilson Jr Dolphins- 6’2 197- Ultra cheap size option.
• DJ Chark Panthers- 6’3 200- Ultra fragile size/speed option.
• Josh Reynolds Lions- 6’3 194- Choke artist, but another cheap size option.
• Chase Claypool Dolphins 6’4 238- Just seeing if you’re paying attention.
• Equanemious St. Brown Bears- 6’5 215- Ron Approved
• Jalen Guyton Chargers 6’1 212- Fringe Big. Home run hitter type.
Calvin Ridley and Hollywood Brown are small. Regardless, you ain’t getting them either:
• Curtis Samuel Skins- Former Buckeye I liked way back when.
• Odell Beckham Ravens- You laugh but I betcha Tomlin digs him.
• Devin Duvernay Ravens- Poach the Rats return man.
• Paris Campbell Giants- Another Buckeye I liked way back when.
• KJ Osborn Vikings- This one is just for the comedy. Worst hands in the league.
• Quez Watkins Eagles- Very poor man’s Mike Wallace.
• MeCole Harman Chiefs- Former ‘Dawg, but not a very bright one. Dude didn’t even know his OT TD catch won the Super Bowl.
• Braxton Berrios Dolphins- Chicks dig NFL players. Little fella gets his share and your share of hot women.
You know you want one:
• No shot in hell at MHJ, Nabers, or Rome. STUDS
• Brian Thomas Jr. LSU- 6’4 205- Big home run hitter. What a year to pass on WR. I am depressed.
• AD Mitchell Texas- 6’4 196- Contested catch warlord
• Ladd McConkey Georgia- 5’11 185- Transplant homer pick. Tomlin bro hugged him in Mobile. I can’t unsee it. I can’t. I won’t.
• Troy Franklin Oregon- 6'3 187- What a class when this speed monger may not go rd 1.
• Keon Coleman Noles- 6’4 215 – Remember. Size Matters.
• Johnny Wilson Noles- 6’6 236 – Size on a stick right here.
• Xavier Legette Cocks- LIES! Kid was listed at 6’3 227. Measured in at 6’1. He can play.
• Xavier Worthy Texas 6’0 172- Yet another home run hitter.
• Malachi Corley West KY 5’11 210- Sometimes you just draft a player because he’s you know, good.
• Roman Wilson Michigan 5’11 192- Doesn’t fit the perceived size parameters, but how long do y’all think Uncle Artie will actually be here? Do you pass on exciting talent to appease an OC that might not be here but a year or two?
• Tez Walker Tarheels- 6’3 200. Drop another ball ya barrel of monkey nuts
• Jalynn Polk Washington- 6’2 204 – Penix had some weapons didn’t he?
• Jalen McMillan Washington- 6’1 192- Borderline on the size but not the talent.
• Ricky Pearsall Gators 6’1 190- Catch of the year. Dig him.
• Jermaine Burton Bama 6’0 194- A baby soft front 7 cost Georgia their shot at a 3 peat, but damn having Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey, AD Mitchell, and Burton would’ve been sick. Damn Transfer Portal. Lousy thug.
Thanks as always for reading. Please comment on the players you like and those you don’t. Wide Receiver. The Steelers have had some good ones haven’t they? Apparently gone are the days of the Steelers using multiple draft picks on wide receivers. Swann and Stall. Santonio Holmes and the great Willie Reid. Clank Sanders and Antonio Brown. George Pickens and Calvin Austin. Now? They might not even draft one. Go Artie!
