The Steelers traded for Vance McDonald in August of 2017. Here’s why Pro Football Focus has him as the 8th best tight end in the league entering 2019.
There’s no doubt that Vance McDonald is one of the most electrifying tight ends in the league to watch. The 267 pound tight end for the Steelers is a wrecking ball after the catch who looks more like a running back with the ball in his hands than anything else.
Vance’s game, however, goes beyond the mere highlight reals that we see on a weekly basis. He has proven to be one of the true balanced NFL tight ends – capable of making a difference as both a receiver and a blocker.
Pro Football Focus recently ranked their top 10 tight ends entering the 2019 NFL season. McDonald came in as the 8th best player on their list:
Vance McDonald has very quietly earned 68.0-plus receiving grades in each of the past three seasons.
— PFF PIT Steelers (@PFF_Steelers) July 24, 2019
See where he stacks up among the rest of the league.
Is he on your fantasy radar?https://t.co/y6jpKNgrmE pic.twitter.com/Vy2cVklOyF
Despite playing just over 50 percent of offensive snaps for the Steelers last season, Vance McDonald was a difference maker. Pro Football Focus took notice. Here’s what they had to say about the Steelers tight end:
"8. VANCE MCDONALD, PITTSBURGH STEELERS2018 OVERALL GRADE RANK: 17McDonald has very quietly earned 68.0-plus receiving grades in each of the past three seasons. His 74.1 two-year overall grade ranks tied for 10th among qualifying NFL tight ends, and he’s logged 72.0-plus run-blocking grades in 2017 and 2018."
Though Vance turned 29 years old this offseason, he stands to see his best season to date (assuming he can stay healthy). Jesse James has moved on to Detroit, and the Steelers will look to McDonald early and often this season.
Last year, McDonald caught a career high 69.4 percent of his targets. He also reached career milestones in catches (50) and receiving yards (610) en route to the best season of his career.
Statistically, McDonald has had a slow start to his career – compiling just 128 catches, 1,664 yards, and 12 touchdowns over the course of 6 NFL seasons. But this doesn’t mean that he couldn’t perform at a Pro Bowl level for the Steelers in 2019.
With his combination of size, athleticism, and physicality, Vance McDonald has the makings of a prototype NFL tight end. It’s unfortunate that his biggest opportunity is coming at the age of 29, but he stands to be a major factor for the Steelers this season.