The Pittsburgh Steelers have some big shoes to fill at the wide receiver position. Antonio Brown – who was turning out to be more of a cancer than anything else as of late – was traded to the Oakland Raiders this off-season.
As part of the package, the Steelers received a 3rd round pick that they ultimately turned into wide receiver, Diontae Johnson.
Johnson didn’t blow you away with his college numbers this year (49 catches, 761 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns), but his traits and savvy football IQ have drawn comparisons to both Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown. Johnson was also a devastating return man at Toledo – averaging nearly 26 yards per kick return, 18.5 yards per punt return, and 4 return touchdowns over the past two seasons.
With new blood in the mix, let’s talk about how the Steelers 2019 wide receivers should be used:
JuJu Smith-Schuster
JuJu Smith-Schuster is the clear cut number one wide receiver. That doesn’t mean that Pittsburgh needs to play him solely at the ‘X’ position.
JuJu is one of the best receivers in the league working out of the slot. He’s extremely physical after the catch and in space – leading all receivers in this department last season. I expect Randy Fichtner to line JuJu up all over the field and find ways to get the ball in the hands of his best play-maker.
James Washington
Washington is a player that may surprise you. Though he struggled in his rookie season (and is still very raw as a route runner), the former Oklahoma State product possesses some special traits. Washington has a great release at the line of scrimmage, good ball tracking ability, and incredibly strong hands at the catch point.
I would use Washington as the ‘X’ receiver for the Steelers and line him up as the sole wide receiver often on one side of the field. Washington’s ability to beat press coverage and strong hands in traffic should suit him well for this role.
Diontae Johnson
The Steelers spoke very highly of Diontae Johnson upon being drafted. Pittsburgh wouldn’t have used the 66th overall pick if they didn’t have big plans in store for him. Much like JuJu, I think Johnson could be used all over the field.
His best traits include his ability to beat press, sell his routes, and his fluent change of direction. Johnson is not a burner by any means, but has a good route tree and knows how to set up his defender. X, Z, or slot, Johnson should be able to provide a little bit of everything for the Steelers. Johnson also has great upside as a kick and punt returner.
Donte Moncrief
The Steelers didn’t make Moncrief the 14th highest paid player on the team to not use him. Moncrief’s big body make him a suitable candidate to play the ‘X’ position. However, Moncrief also offers a bit more speed than any of the other receivers on the Steelers roster.
Moncrief has never been overly productive, and I think his role may be a bit limited on the Steelers. However, I would use Moncrief as the primary backup to James Washington – a player who can go across the middle and occasionally win down the field.
Ryan Switzer/Eli Rogers
I grouped these receivers together for two reasons: they both play the slot, and neither are locks to make the team in 2019. However, at least one of these receivers will be here next year. Switzer and Rogers are both ‘slot only’ receivers with punt return ability. I would use them as such.
Though either one would probably be used sparingly on offense (3-5 wide receiver sets), they are both twitchy players who run solid short to intermediate routes. I would have Switzer, Rogers, and Diontae Johnson battle it out for return duties.