You have a two tier problem between not having a # 2 and a mediocre offensive line. Every wide receiver combo in the NFL that goes over 1,000 per season for both guys(and there are plenty) beg to differ with what you are saying. I just had that discussion with someone here not long ago who was trying to discredit the idea of a #2 and I listed the many 1 and 2 combos that excel in the NFL.
Now, the mediocre offensive line is helped by having that # 2 especially if he's a great possession guy...think Hines Ward. They are helped because you can scheme for that # 2 and your tight ends coming open quick so the ball can come out quick....
So, now as a defense you can't sit comfortably in your 2 high shell as James Harrison said on his podcast " They had the one safety leaning over to DKs side not even disguising it." And if you don't know what that is saying, it's your opponent saying "your other pass catchers suck and we know it." You have a good # 2 that can make possession catches get fed frequently in a game and you see an opposing D start sliding into 1 high and bring a safety down to help the linebackers on the crossing routes and outs. Now DK is turned loose. It's not rocket science. And of course that scenario is different if you have a consistent running game as well...we don't.
I'll also address the " You won't even hardly use a # 2 in Arthur Smith's offense." argument many around here misunderstand. There is no such thing as an Arthur Smith offense...just like there isn't an Andy Reid offense or Shanahan offense..or anyone you can think of. All modern NFL offenses are descended from Bill Walsh's West Coast Offense. Sure things have changed where you run out of single back or empty and the QB not under center, but it's basically still the same offense with things that have been added like RPOs, zone running, pistol formations, etc. Do you think Brady won all those Super Bowls with some unique and brilliant new offense? Nope, thank or curse Bill Walsh.
Having said that, all NFL offenses customize their philosophy out of that West Coast schematic core to the personnel they have....are you following? So " Arthur Smith's offense" can change on the fly dependent on personnel...because they ALL can...on any team. Do some OCs have a preference they lean toward? Of course they do, but a smart one adapts. Remember Todd Haley at KC before he came to the Steelers? He had a running back duo(forget the guys names) and he pounded every opponent with those guys. Came to Pittsburgh had Ben, AB, Wallace, and later Martavis Bryant...and it became bombs away.
I have no doubt Smith would change his play calling if he had a legit #2.
And the guys you mention(like Jefferson) I don't intimately know what their team personnel looks like...Do they have a good running game? A good O-line? A mobile QB throwing to them? Things that change the dynamic from team to team.
