3 additions by subtraction for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020
By Tommy Jaggi
WR Johnny Holton
There’s a reason Johnny Holton was just a special teams player prior to his arrival to the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. At 28 years old, Holton had compiled just 11 receptions before joining the team in 2019.
Though he turned heads last preseason with his ability to win down the field on a few big plays, that didn’t translate to the field for the Steelers last season. With JuJu Smith-Schuster missing time and Ryan Switzer landing on IR, Pittsburgh needed another wide receiver to step up and make plays. Holton was not that guy.
Holton dressed for all 16 games for Pittsburgh last season but garnered just 15 targets and 3 receptions (7.0 yards per catch). His 20 percent catch rate was embarrassingly bad for an NFL wide receiver and he dropped more passes than he caught.
Though his tenure with the team lasted just one season, Holton was one of the least reliable receivers the Steelers have had in quite some time. Having him off the roster is easily an addition by subtraction for Pittsburgh in 2020. Holton currently sits in free agency without a suitor for the upcoming NFL season.