- Joined
- Apr 7, 2014
- Messages
- 2,542
- Reaction score
- 4,985
- Points
- 93
The Pittsburgh Steelers under Kevin Colbert have done a fine job drafting wide receivers. It has been a strength of the team in recent years which makes the final year of Colbert’s tenure unique in that the Steelers are looking for at least two more wide receivers to bring to camp. The Steelers are sure to draft at least one wideout in the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft starting this Thursday night, but it may be a little optimistic to expect a rookie to step in and be the third receiver on the depth chart immediately.
Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson and Pat Freiermuth demonstrated in 2021 that they could run tough 5–10-yard routes and come up big over the middle of the field. I am looking forward to seeing them get a chance to run deeper routes in 2022 with improved offensive line play and a younger quarterback with improved arm strength. Play-action passing off what is sure to be a heavy dose of RPO’s could allow for huge play opportunities 3-5 times per game. The perfect free agent to run those kinds of routes is the 35-year-old Desean Jackson.
Jackson would not be the future in Pittsburgh, but it would help any rookie receiver to learn at the feet of the best speed deep threat in the NFL over the last decade. He is not as fast as he once was, but that is still faster than most and he demands attention when he steps on the field. He has been linked to Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns, but head coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers could make a strong pitch about the potential opportunity in Pittsburgh.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
Kansas City and Cleveland are going to have elite quarterback play, but that means they will be facing a lot of dime and nickel packages and Jackson could be just a decoy like he was for the Los Angeles Rams and Las Vegas Raiders with an occasional big play on a blown coverage. The Steelers on the other hand will be heavily reliant on Najee Harris and RPO’s. They could and should make the case to Jackson that they will see more base and run heavy defenses on early downs that should give him the ability to be 1 on 1 with safeties or the second cornerback. Their intention to throw him the deep ball and give him the chance to prove he is still elite is key.
Diontae Johnson is now the leader of the receiver room in his 4th season. He is 25 but is only signed for one more year. And while Chase Claypool will likely make a leap this year, no one will confuse him as a team leader in the near future. Jackson had issues early in his career and made some mistakes. His experience could serve as an example to Claypool and whatever rookie they bring in that talent is not enough. You must work at your craft or be pigeonholed as just a deep threat. He is closer to the end than the beginning at this point and if he handles the role correctly, he could use it as a springboard to a coaching position.
Desean Jackson has always been a one trick pony, but that one trick of his is what NFL teams always need and what he still has; blazing speed and the ability to catch the deep ball. Jackson could have been Tyreek Hill, but he just never materialized as a short route yard after catch threat. He will not turn into that this late in his career, but he is still a game changer and even at his advanced age, would be the fastest Steeler since Mike Wallace.
I can hear Bill Hillgrove now, “1st and 10, Najee Harris lines up behind Mitch Trubisky, 8 in the box. Here is the snap, play fake, Trubisky launches and has a man, Jackson is 10 yards behind the corner. They won’t catch him.”
The Steelers can catch him… in free agency.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Please comment below or follow me on Twitter @thebubbasq.
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson and Pat Freiermuth demonstrated in 2021 that they could run tough 5–10-yard routes and come up big over the middle of the field. I am looking forward to seeing them get a chance to run deeper routes in 2022 with improved offensive line play and a younger quarterback with improved arm strength. Play-action passing off what is sure to be a heavy dose of RPO’s could allow for huge play opportunities 3-5 times per game. The perfect free agent to run those kinds of routes is the 35-year-old Desean Jackson.
Jackson would not be the future in Pittsburgh, but it would help any rookie receiver to learn at the feet of the best speed deep threat in the NFL over the last decade. He is not as fast as he once was, but that is still faster than most and he demands attention when he steps on the field. He has been linked to Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns, but head coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers could make a strong pitch about the potential opportunity in Pittsburgh.
Steelers Could Sign One of These Wide Receivers to Leave All Options Open on Draft Night
Deep Shot Targets
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
Kansas City and Cleveland are going to have elite quarterback play, but that means they will be facing a lot of dime and nickel packages and Jackson could be just a decoy like he was for the Los Angeles Rams and Las Vegas Raiders with an occasional big play on a blown coverage. The Steelers on the other hand will be heavily reliant on Najee Harris and RPO’s. They could and should make the case to Jackson that they will see more base and run heavy defenses on early downs that should give him the ability to be 1 on 1 with safeties or the second cornerback. Their intention to throw him the deep ball and give him the chance to prove he is still elite is key.
Diontae Johnson is now the leader of the receiver room in his 4th season. He is 25 but is only signed for one more year. And while Chase Claypool will likely make a leap this year, no one will confuse him as a team leader in the near future. Jackson had issues early in his career and made some mistakes. His experience could serve as an example to Claypool and whatever rookie they bring in that talent is not enough. You must work at your craft or be pigeonholed as just a deep threat. He is closer to the end than the beginning at this point and if he handles the role correctly, he could use it as a springboard to a coaching position.
Desean Jackson has always been a one trick pony, but that one trick of his is what NFL teams always need and what he still has; blazing speed and the ability to catch the deep ball. Jackson could have been Tyreek Hill, but he just never materialized as a short route yard after catch threat. He will not turn into that this late in his career, but he is still a game changer and even at his advanced age, would be the fastest Steeler since Mike Wallace.
I can hear Bill Hillgrove now, “1st and 10, Najee Harris lines up behind Mitch Trubisky, 8 in the box. Here is the snap, play fake, Trubisky launches and has a man, Jackson is 10 yards behind the corner. They won’t catch him.”
The Steelers can catch him… in free agency.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Please comment below or follow me on Twitter @thebubbasq.
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
