Free agents from the Falcons who might follow Arthur Smith to the Steelers include: According to one NFL evaluator, Drake Maye “may fall” in the draft. Raheem Morris hires a “under-the-radar” staff member. Arthur Smith shares his insights from his time with the Falcons. The Falcons free agent class’s prize is named “Defensive Signing of the Year.”
With a new coaching staff, comes new relationships, schemes, and preferences. The Falcons will have several holes to fill on the roster and will tailor those acquisitions around Zac Robinson’s offense and Raheem Morris and Jimmy Lakes’ defense. In that same breath, Arthur Smith will likely lean on his relationships from Atlanta for his new gig as Steelers offensive coordinator.
Here are some free agents that could follow their former head coach to Pittsburgh:
Mack Hollins
All of these free agent candidates are going to be on the offensive side of the ball because of Smith’s role as offensive coordinator.
Mack Hollins, along with all of the Falcons impending free agent wideouts should be possibilities. Hollins is on the wrong side of 30 but has the kind of blocking ability that should interest Mike Tomlin, who loves a hard-nosed football player.
Hollins’ best season came in the campaign prior to joining the Falcons. He hauled in nearly 700 yards and four scores with the Raiders in 2022, but he only recorded 18 receptions in 2024. However, he’d be a cheap free agent addition.
Keith Smith
Much like a physical wide receiver, a fullback should be in play for the Steelers in the free agent class. The Falcons, with Zac Robinson, don’t have a need for Smith, and Arthur Smith sure does love using a traditional fullback. Smith has been incredibly dependent over his career, even if he ended up on the injured reserve in 2023
Van Jefferson
The Steelers have a decent receiving core. The tight end unit is set, but the wideout room could use some additions. Diontae Johnson and George Pickens will headline the group, while Allen Robinson is a cap casualty candidate. Jefferson’s breakout campaign came in 2021 when he hauled in 50 catches for over 800 yards and six touchdowns with the Rams. Unlike Mack Hollins, Jefferson can take the top off of a defense and stretch the field. That could appeal to the Steelers.
Scotty Miller
Everything I said for Jefferson could be said for Miller. The speedster has the ability to stretch the field and open things up underneath. The Falcons might also be interested in bringing Miller back.
