Mike's Beer Bar War Room: A legitimate WR3 option would go a long way

The Steelers' passing game still needs an awful lot of work, especially in the first three quarters of games. But one thing they really need is for a third pass catcher to step up in a big way. 

The opponent is very happy when Allen Robinson is on the field at this point of his career. George Pickens is the Steelers' only skill position player with more snaps this season than Robinson, who averages 49 snaps per game. That is far too many considering he really has a tough time getting separation against slot cornerbacks. And while he brings a little as a blocker, that doesn’t come close to outweighing his lack of dynamic ability. 

Robinson has been targeted -- remember, targets are earned -- just four times over the past three games. He simply doesn’t earn targets. His .66 yards per route run is poor, as is his 2.1 yards after the catch per reception. 73% of Robinson’s snaps have come out of the slot, but why not incorporate Diontae Johnson and Pickens more from the slot? Both are capable. 

What about Calvin Austin III? The opposite of Robinson, Austin is dripping with dynamic ability. His big play ability and speed are very real, and opposing defenses feel that and react accordingly. However, it is questionable at his size if he can really handle the rigors of playing a high number of snaps. Austin should be a fourth wide receiver. The other issue is that when he has been in the game, he is getting the ball a high percentage of his snaps, which is a bit of a tell. 

What Austin brings to the table is obvious: Speed and more speed. That is something the Steelers need to utilize, as they did here in Vegas for a big play. But unfortunately, Austin isn’t a blocker and has yet to prove that he can log serious snaps week after week. 

The Steelers use 11 Personnel (one running back, one tight end) on 74.6% of their offensive snaps. That is the sixth highest usage of any single offensive personnel grouping in the entire league. Dropping that percentage down is a suggestion the Steelers should strongly consider. 

Pat Freiermuth has now missed four games and is eligible to come off injured reserve this week. Used far too much as a traditional inline tight end before his latest injury, Freiermuth’s role must change going forward. The Steelers should consider Freiermuth, who is overmatched blocking edge defenders, as a big slot receiver that does some blocking, but mostly contributes as a pass catcher. In fact, he should be the direct replacement for Robinson in this regard with Darnell Washington or a sixth offensive lineman handling the inline duties. 

Once he returns, Freiermuth absolutely must get more targets and usage as a receiver. Although he has only appeared in four games, the fact that he has just 13 targets, eight catches and 53 receiving yards is somewhat criminal. Kenny Pickett has proven to being very averse to throwing to the middle of the field, but Freiermuth needs a minimum of five or six targets per game. 

Pickett needs more layups/easy throws. That is something a healthy Freiermuth can provide. This isn’t a super exciting play, but it is a nice sharp route by Freiermuth and a nice extension to haul in a not-so-great pass for a Steelers' first down isolated one-on-one. More of this would go a long way to kickstarting this passing game and getting Pickett more comfortable. 

Less of Connor Heyward is more. Asking him to play a high percentage of the snaps is more than he can truly handle at his size. He’s been overextended with Freiermuth sidelined. But, Heyward sprinkled here and there and situationally, as he was early in the season, can be highly effectively. 

One other suggestion is using Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren on the field more together in their “pony package”. Using two running backs on the field together was something they practiced plenty in training camp. If Anthony McFarland, an explosive playmaker with very good receiving skills, is activated, he too could really be a factor in this regard as well as handle some jet sweep and other duties. McFarland’s receiving skills were quite impressive in camp and the preseason. 

Harris and Warren are both capable blockers in the run game and in protection, with Harris being the better of the two in this regard. Harris as more than just a dump off option as a receiver is something he brings to the table that is still rather untapped, although his lack of speed does show up the farther he gets from the line of scrimmage as a route runner. 

Warren is not only an excellent overall pass catcher, but he is one of the most efficient running backs in the entire league as a receiver. More of that would be great:

Warren can be a real weapon in the passing game. He gets into his route quick, flips his hips around to get downhill after securing the football and then shows great acceleration down the sideline. This is also an excellent example of Warren’s balance and tenacity. This guy is just tough to tackle. 

The Steelers could really use a bona fide No. 3 wide receiver, and that might be a much bigger offseason need than many of you might realize. Maybe yet another Day 2 wide receiver could be in play for next year’s draft. 

In the meantime, first and foremost, Freiermuth needs to be a featured receiver as he was last season, and a small uptick for Austin, Warren and Harris should be in the cards at Robinson’s expense with less 11 Personnel.