The Pittsburgh Steelers don’t necessarily need another receiver, but could be considering this former Dallas Cowboys return specialist.
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Lucky Whitehead only lasted three years with the Cowboys before being released this past Monday. As Whitehead never had much on-the-field success outside of special teams, Dallas didn’t release the 25-year-old because of lack of production.
What made Dallas make the move and cut the receiver was that the team discovered that Whitehead was arrested last month for petty larceny for shoplifting in Virginia. Then, a warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to show up for his court date.
While Whitehead has claimed that it’s a case of mistaken identity, the Cowboys weren’t giving in and decided to make the receiver an example for the rest of the team.
So, while the Steelers don’t need another receiver, they could use a return specialist alongside newly added Knile Davis. With Whitehead’s 33 kick returns for 846 yards and 44 punts for 305 yards in two years with Dallas, averaging 23.2 yards per return last season, he’s an ideal candidate to take over the return game in Pittsburgh.
This may make life a little easier for the Steelers as well. Even if some people are still a fan of Sammie Coates, he’s a bust. After continuing to progress downwards instead of improving, it’s time for the Steelers to move on from the former Auburn stud.
Now, instead of deciding between Coates and Heyward-Bey, the Steelers can fill the roster spot with a return specialist who doesn’t need to see much time in the offensive game. It might not be the best case scenario, but it certainly makes the roster spot more valuable than having a player who the team can’t trust on the field.
Pittsburgh’s biggest offensive decision involving the 53-man roster is receiver. Whitehead wouldn’t come in and compete for offensive playing time due to Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Eli Rogers and JuJu Smith-Schuster filling the first four roles. What he would do is play alongside Davis as a returner, and potentially become the primary return specialist in Pittsburgh.
It’s not the biggest name on the market, but Whitehead is a cheap buy who can benefit this team in 2017. The Steelers are completing a very well-rounded squad, and although Davis is a fantastic returner, he’s no Whitehead.
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The Steelers could very well be considering this move if they’re thinking of putting together top tier talent at all aspects of their team. As long as Whitehead doesn’t face any missed time this season, there could be a chance Pittsburgh scoops him up by the end of the offseason.