‘Actually Like The Manner He Suits’: WR Analyst Likes DK Metcalf In Arthur Smith’s System

The Pittsburgh Steelers wanted some main upgrades of their vast receiver room after a disappointing 2024 season. Basic supervisor Omar Khan wasted no time, buying and selling for star vast receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks and signing him to a five-year deal.

Metcalf, 27, is getting into his seventh season within the NFL, the place he’ll play for his fourth new offensive coordinator and almost definitely his third new beginning quarterback (except Russell Wilson re-signs with Pittsburgh). As Metcalf joins the Arthur Smith-led offense, he’ll almost definitely expertise a route tree adjustment.

At this level, Metcalf’s strengths as a route runner and weaknesses are effectively established.

Yahoo Sports activities’ Matt Harmon mentioned how Metcalf will slot in Smith’s offense, concluding that his strengths ought to play effectively into what Smith needs out of his X receiver.

“I do actually like the way in which he matches, and doubtlessly may very well be seeing a route tree adjustment in Arthur Smith’s offense,” stated Harmon. “If we take into consideration Arthur Smith’s offense, we take into consideration these large, in-breaking routes off play-action ideas. That’s actually the place I wish to see DK get going at this level. Runway stuff, slants, digs, posts, these large in-breakers; all of his success charges on these routes even on this down season have been at or above the NFL common…If you happen to take a look at X receivers in Arthur Smith’s offense, they run quite a lot of these routes. I do assume he’s an excellent participant, and I do like how he’s going for use because the X receiver, the primary goal on this offense.”

Harmon included a fast breakdown of his signature “reception notion” chart, which you’ll see under.

The chart exhibits Metcalf’s 2024 success charges on every core route in the usual route tree. Something highlighted in inexperienced is above the league common (yellow is round common, and purple is under common). As you may see, Metcalf excelled working digs (78.4% success) and slants (83.6%), two in-breaking routes that Arthur Smith utilized for AJ Brown with the Titans and Drake London with the Falcons. Moreover, his post-route success fee was a decent 69.2% final season. As talked about within the video breakdown, Metcalf is significantly better as a “one lower and go” receiver somewhat than a “stopping down” receiver (therefore the poor curl and comeback route numbers).

Watching the Steelers’ offense final season, they didn’t appear to prioritize these in-breaking route ideas which can be typically important in Smith’s offenses (though Mike Tomlin won’t be so aligned). That may largely be attributed to personnel. Russell Wilson prefers to throw outdoors the numbers, the place he can put contact on balls down the sidelines, as a substitute of zipping them over the center. Moreover, the Steelers had no vast receivers that have been notably sturdy working slants, digs, and different in-breaking routes. Diontae Johnson was distinctive on these in-breaking routes, and when he was traded final offseason, George Pickens and Co. weren’t capable of fill that position.

So the Steelers went and received Arthur Smith his good X receiver.

Metcalf ought to be used precisely how AJ Brown was utilized in Tennessee, the place practically half of his routes run have been both slants, digs, or posts. By focusing on the center of the sector extra persistently, George Pickens ought to have the ability to get extra separation on the surface. Moreover, defenses gained’t have the ability to get away with taking part in single-high security towards the Steelers. On high of that, a 6-foot-4 Metcalf can actually go excessive and catch some go-balls.

If the Steelers can weaponize Metcalf in the midst of the sector, I can’t think about how opposing defensive backs will place themselves towards the terrifying duo of 6-foot-3 Pickens and 6-foot-4 Metcalf.

Whether or not it’s Mason Rudolph, Aaron Rodgers, and even Duck Hodges (I’m simply joking), the Steelers vast receiver room ought to instill concern in opposing groups as a substitute of concern in Steelers followers like they did final season.