Pittsburgh Steelers roster breakdown: wide receivers
By Edward Hunt
The Steelers have made some changes at wide receiver recently – a position they are typically good at finding talent in. Pittsburgh may have traded Antonio Brown, but they have added some talent this offseason. Here is how the receiving core is shaping up:
Roster Locks
Juju Smith-Schuster is now the go to guy in Pittsburgh. There have been some questions about whether he could do it without Antonio Brown. On the bright side, he won’t have to split targets with Brown and that could help produce more catches.
This is JuJu Smith-Schuster’s third season, and a big year could yield a big extension. With Antonio Brown’s contract soon to be coming off the books, the Steelers may want to pay JuJu Smith-Schuster to be the number one receiver.
Dionte Moncrief was one of the Steelers major free agent signings this offseason. The Steelers cap charge for him is 3.25 million according to Over the Cap.
This is an indication that the Steelers want him to start and think he could break out playing with a franchise QB in Ben Roethlisberger. At this point in his career, Moncrief is an average NFL receiver, but a change in teams could shake things up.
Diontae Johnson was drafted in the beginning of the third round and he is now added to a long list of Kevin Colbert Day Two picks. Colbert has had a lot of success drafting wide receivers and so that is a reason to think he could be an early contributor.
I do see some ball security issues in his Toledo tape and that is something to keep an eye on going forward. The Steelers seemed to really like him as they said they have a first round grade on him and said he interviewed well.
On the Inside Looking Out
James Washington had a sub-par rookie year as a receiver and didn’t contribute much on special teams. He did come up with a big game against the Patriots and played better down the stretch. The hope is that he can build on that late season success and earn some playing time on the outside. His best fit is as the “z” receiver and that job should be taken by Donte Moncrief.
On the other hand, after JuJu Smith-Schuster and Donte Moncrief, the Steelers don’t have a clear #3 receiver. Receiver formations don’t matter as much, as the Steelers like to move their receivers around as well. James Washington on the field also allows JuJu Smith-Schuster to move to the slot.
Ryan Switzer was the Steelers primary return man last year and that should help his cause for making the roster. He also has the intangibles of being a thoughtful player and active in the community. He may be limited to the slot as a receiver and so that makes him less valuable to the Steelers cause.
Switzer still contributed as a receiver and so hopefully he can build on that limited production. Even if Diontae Johnson unseats him as a return man, it may help to have depth on the roster for return men.
On the Bubble
Eli Rogers is a bubble player. He is a player that I personally think should make the roster because of his past production in the slot. Rogers also is an average punt returner and that should help his cause for making the roster.
The two reasons I could see him getting cut are for his lack of production post-injury and his limitation for only playing in the slot. I think we will find out in camp if Rogers can fully recover from his ACL tear.
On the Outside Looking In
Johnny Holton is not a name to forget about in camp. He is a deep threat who has experience playing in the NFL. On the downside, he has been cut many times and that is probably due to him being a limited role player.
The fact that he can take the top off the defense is why he will get a shot with the Steelers. He also does very well from a measurable standpoint. He is 6’3 and ran in the 4.4s at the combine. If this addition works out, he will be a good bargain for the Steelers.
Battling for a Practice Squad Job
Trey Griffey is getting his second shot with the Steelers after making the practice squad last year. I will say that I saw some promise in him last camp but he did get some help making the practice squad with the Damoun Patterson injury. Griffey is the son of Ken Griffey Jr. – a baseball star that you have probably heard of. He has also had a shot with the Dolphins and the Colts.
Tevin Jones was another receiver the Steelers kept on their practice squad last year. He is a guy with elite speed and showed something in the final preseason game against the Panthers last year.
Jones is also a guy who might be an asset on special teams especially with a year of practice under his belt. I would say special teams is the key for him to stick around with the Steelers. He is capable of covering kicks.
Dionte Spencer
This guy is purely a return man. He is capable of returning kicks and punts. He was successful at it as McNeese State and in the CFL. He has also gotten chances in the NFL. I am guessing this is probably his last shot to make an NFL roster and he will have to take a kick or punt back for a long return to make the practice squad.