The one thing wideouts overlook when it comes to skill & development in their games is BLOCKING.
This is the one thing that can be the difference in you playing 90% of the time versus 60% of the time simply because you can be effective in the run game. Namely in blocking on the perimeter & second level.
3 KEYS TO BLOCKING
Mentality
You have to WANT to block. Blocking is 90% mental & 10% technique, if you approach blocking like you do route running or catching your blocking will naturally get better & more effective. This means blocking after someone else catches a pass or until you see the RB run past you or until you hear a whistle.
Approach
Getting off the ball on run plays like you do when you are running a route will make your blocks 10x easier. Creating an environment where a DB has to respect your vertical pressure at all times will leave you with the advantage. Once you are 2-3 yards from the defender it turns into closing out a 3 point shooter in basketball. Close out the space with level pad height and good base + active feet. Being in position and even just in the way can turn 1st down runs into touchdowns runs.
The Finish
Once the defender is closed out finishing the block with feet and then hands will take your blocking to the next level. 50% of the block is won of positioning and having active feet. Once your feet go dead, you are dead in the water. With feet in position we then need to fire the hands from the hip like we have 2 pistols into the inside of the chest and lock arms out of possible. Keeping your eyes up on the target and taking him where he wants to go makes the read for the runner a lot easier to make cuts off of.