WR Diontae Johnson played most of 2019 injured...

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2020/5/27/21272303/steelers-wr-diontae-johnson-played-most-of-2019-injured-had-offseason-surgery-roethlisberger-news

Well, I believe Johnson lead all rookie receivers in receptions in 2019. Which is pretty damned impressive considering the caliber of quarterbacks he had to work with in Rudolph and Hodges. Imagine if he'd of had Ben under center.

Future is bright for this kid, he was productive even when injured. If he can remain healthy this season, I'm looking for him to have a breakout year.

I would love to see this kid keep his head on straight and go on to smash every record held by AB.

solardave wrote:

I would love to see this kid keep his head on straight and go on to smash every record held by AB.

That would be immensely satisfying.

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

solardave wrote:

I would love to see this kid keep his head on straight and go on to smash every record held by AB.

That would be immensely satisfying.

here here I'll drink to that... AB who?

Hell yes I would love to see AB become a minor foot note in Steelers history.

SteelerFreak58 wrote:

Hell yes I would love to see AB become a minor foot note in Steelers history.

I think he all but ensured that himself. If DJ or another receiver could bury him on the all time list though, that'd be a cherry on top.

I'm excited to see what he brings this year.

solardave wrote:

I'm excited to see what he brings this year.

I think he has the potential to be a true #1 in the league. His style of play and athletic abilities remind me a lot of both Antonio Brown, and Emmanuel Sanders.

I hope he pushes Ju Ju to merit a new contract. I hope Ju Ju doesn't fall apart when he looses his #1 spot.

solardave wrote:

I hope he pushes Ju Ju to merit a new contract. I hope Ju Ju doesn't fall apart when he looses his #1 spot.

I don't think Juju is like that, seems pretty humble considering his age. I think Juju just likes to play football regardless of whether or not he's considered the #1 or #2 receiver. We need a true #1, I think Johnson can definitely develop into that role. Juju really flourishes when he's the #2, and then with other guys like Washington, and Claypool on the roster we have an assortment of different weapons at receiver. So long as Ben is back and 100%, we could have a deadly group of receivers again.

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

solardave wrote:

I hope he pushes Ju Ju to merit a new contract. I hope Ju Ju doesn't fall apart when he looses his #1 spot.

I don't think Juju is like that, seems pretty humble considering his age. I think Juju just likes to play football regardless of whether or not he's considered the #1 or #2 receiver. We need a true #1, I think Johnson can definitely develop into that role. Juju really flourishes when he's the #2, and then with other guys like Washington, and Claypool on the roster we have an assortment of different weapons at receiver. So long as Ben is back and 100%, we could have a deadly group of receivers again.

Right. I think Ju Ju would tear it up as our #2. I also think DJ will be our #1 sooner than later and Claypool is a WR in a TE's body but just as quick. He needs a year or two to polish his skills and look out. It all hinges on Ben.

solardave wrote:

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

solardave wrote:

I hope he pushes Ju Ju to merit a new contract. I hope Ju Ju doesn't fall apart when he looses his #1 spot.

I don't think Juju is like that, seems pretty humble considering his age. I think Juju just likes to play football regardless of whether or not he's considered the #1 or #2 receiver. We need a true #1, I think Johnson can definitely develop into that role. Juju really flourishes when he's the #2, and then with other guys like Washington, and Claypool on the roster we have an assortment of different weapons at receiver. So long as Ben is back and 100%, we could have a deadly group of receivers again.

Right. I think Ju Ju would tear it up as our #2. I also think DJ will be our #1 sooner than later and Claypool is a WR in a TE's body but just as quick. He needs a year or two to polish his skills and look out. It all hinges on Ben.

I think that Claypool can have a year similiar to Martavis Bryant's rookie season for sure. He can definitely polish his route-running a little bit but he has all the athletic ability to make plays in spite of his rookie weaknesses.

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

solardave wrote:

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

solardave wrote:

I hope he pushes Ju Ju to merit a new contract. I hope Ju Ju doesn't fall apart when he looses his #1 spot.

I don't think Juju is like that, seems pretty humble considering his age. I think Juju just likes to play football regardless of whether or not he's considered the #1 or #2 receiver. We need a true #1, I think Johnson can definitely develop into that role. Juju really flourishes when he's the #2, and then with other guys like Washington, and Claypool on the roster we have an assortment of different weapons at receiver. So long as Ben is back and 100%, we could have a deadly group of receivers again.

Right. I think Ju Ju would tear it up as our #2. I also think DJ will be our #1 sooner than later and Claypool is a WR in a TE's body but just as quick. He needs a year or two to polish his skills and look out. It all hinges on Ben.

I think that Claypool can have a year similiar to Martavis Bryant's rookie season for sure. He can definitely polish his route-running a little bit but he has all the athletic ability to make plays in spite of his rookie weaknesses.

The thing I just can't wait to see is the mismatches that Claypool creates. And not just the match-ups he faces, but his presence on the field and how that will affect the other receivers. If you have DJ, JuJu and Claypool (and either Washington or their TEs), who do you put your #1 and #2 corners on? If you line Claypool up in the slot, what corner tries to cover a big guy in that position that normally doesn't have tall corners lining up across them (think Mike Hilton type corners). Or the defense tries to line a safety across Claypool in the slot, much like you would see if they treat him like a TE. But then you might lose the ability to have over-the-top support for the outside corners (so you just left either JuJu or DJ in a 1-1 situation with a corner and no deep help on that side).

I fully expect to see a big jump in the games of JuJu, DJ and even Washington this year. This will be a huge benefit to Claypool and the TEs.

I hope Claypool is really good - but let's find out before we crown him the second coming....

Great Randino wrote:

I hope Claypool is really good - but let's find out before we crown him the second coming....

if he can just match what martavus bryant did i will be happy. if you think about they are very similar players. both 6'4" , both ran a 4.2 forty. both were raw and not great route runners coming out of college . the only difference is 30lbs and claypool is a better blocker. as far as reliable hands i cant speak to that because i have seen only highlights which dont show drops.

Yeah as really hope he can be really good and really shows you despite the injuries he is a team player and makes everybody around him good.