Although the Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t select a receiver in 2023 for the second time in three years, the Steelers picked at least one wideout in each of the previous nine drafts. Many of those receiver selections came in the middle rounds of the draft. USA Today’s Steelers Wire’s Curt Popejoy connected the Steelers to another potential mid-round receiver pick on February 18 — Texas A&M’s Ainias Smith.
Popejoy argued the Steelers should consider drafting Smith to replace veteran receiver Allen Robinson.
“Ainias Smith is a do-it-all player who can play wide receiver, running back and as a returner,” Popejoy wrote. “He’s got elite quickness and change of direction and has a knack for big plays.”
In 2023, Smith posted 53 catches for 795 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. He averaged nearly 16 yards per reception in his final 16 college games.
The Steelers acquired Robinson for almost nothing last offseason. They exchanged seventh-round draft picks with the Los Angeles Rams for the veteran receiver.
But after only 34 catches for a measly 280 yards, Robinson is set to count as about a $11.9 million cap hit for 2024.
The Steelers can save $10 million against the salary cap by releasing Robinson.
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