The only point I wanted to make here is Washington was the Z, and Z receivers, ideally are supposed to have more yardage than the X WR because it is their job to stretch the field and they are supposed to get the majority of downfield targets. The X is supposed to be your go to guy and move the chains. AB and Ward were the best we ever had at it.
Because the team felt differently about the players. They felt good making them both highest paid at position. They did not feel the same about DJ. They like him but not at the price he wanted at his position. If DJ was willing to take a 5 year deal at the price the Steelers were willing to pay he would he locked up through 2027. Instead they hedged the bet. Doubtful he plays out beyond next season. At that point they will decide if he will finish his career as a Steeler or they will move him.
I only vaguely remembered, so I looked it up. From 2012 (when AB became a full-time starter) and 2018, Brown played in a grand total of six games in which Ben did not:
Yeah, I would imagine that DJ's production was higher from 2019-21, given that he was on the field for 1758 more snaps than Brown was.
I think we are talking about two different things. I’m talking about your go to receiver. AB, Ward, Holmes, Wallace, Thigpen etc I don’t see DJ being the guy you throw it up to in coverage on third down needing a conversion. James definitely wasn’t AB but he made a fair share of big plays when called upon.
Not an argument, just a discussion. Ben is the factor that made them both great. Without Ben, they are not as good. Outside of Pit, AB is average at best.
Watch his highlights from 2021 with Ben. That's where DJ got all of his deep TDs. Absolutely has a complete route tree, unlike GP who can't get separation yet, but I expect him to get better.
James had 1 year of production then became unusable because he couldn't get separation. His skillset was using his LB body to make space on combat catches in college and a slow developing deep threat. That didn't translate to the NFL at all.
I will put money on it that DJ is a steeler following next season. Because I know how the Steelers operate, value a dependable x WR and invest in a player that is willing to take a contract under the going rate for a WR1.
A 2 year extension at that rate was too good for the Steelers to pass up. The question will be: Will the Steelers lock up DJ at the end of next season with a year left on his contract (which is when the Steelers resign or extend players that they know will be the core of their team moving forward)? They did it at the beginning of this year so we will see in a year.
He has a career long of 50 yards. Deep threats catch 40 yard + passes every other week.
Thus the definition of an X WR.
But then he drops it or doesn’t get both feet down like he did twice last week. GP on the other hand has that dog in him and says that’s my ball and nobody better touch my ball. He has number one receiver potential. He has holes in his game. Route running definitely needs improvement but when the ball is in the air he’s coming down with it. I am fine with keeping DJ and let him play out his contract and even resign him if we can reasonably again. No issues whatsoever with that. But if someone threw a first round pick at me for him I’m also listening to the offer.
Agreed but find it hard to believe they would. Some 1st round receivers bust but MANY put up numbers that dwarf DJ
That is why I put the Packers as an option. They might sneak into the playoffs but probably don't go far. Similar to us but we are in build mode and they are in win now mode with A-A-Ron. Watson has been up and down but as a Z receiver as Stryker mentioned would be a perfect compliment to DJ as the X. Cobb is too old and Doubs is too young. Putting DJ in there for the next two year window would fit a need for a win now team in need of receiving options. And we already know they were willing to cough up a 2nd for Claypool. And DJ is 10x the receiver Claypool is.
Agree they are in win now and need upgrade. Normally I'd say why not just draft but you are right. DJ is right mix of youth and experience.
OK, but I just showed you that AB had much better per snap production in the twilight of his career than DJ had in his mid-twenties, mostly with Ben. If you think AB was "average at best" during those three seasons, how can you say that DJ is elite? It doesn't add up, man.
I agree that I can't argue anyone out of a position for wanting a 1st round pick for a player.
DJ mostly with Ben? Rookie and this season had Ben for first 2 games rookie year. Middle 2 years had Ben up till week 10 when his noodle arm kicked in and he couldn't throw deep anymore. Not the same Ben IMHO.
As juicy as 4 picks in the top 50 would be I'm pretty much with you though we obviously have different values on the player. And to me a pro bowler isn't a one time deal. A pro bowler at receiver should be top 10 at his position and I don't see that. And I don't care who he plays with or what the system is. No top 10 talent gets shut out of the endzone for a whole season. But that aside. I probably keep DJ next season for Kenny's long term development. Then he will either be a Career Steelers player or I would trade him in the final year if he wants a crazy number. He isn't a crazy number talent.
"but it is a 50-50 if he actually catches it" /haters
I wouldn't use the term 50-50, but I'd say every deep throw they make certainly with the Steelers and often the league in general is a jump ball. This was an answer to modern DB technique which is run to his hip and locate ball at the end or simply play through as the receiver goes up. Never really turn for a deep ball unless you have him walled along the sideline an dare in his hip pocket.
Probably because Pickens catches or drops the combative catches vs Johnson all by himself and simply drops it. Maybe my dislike(maybe that is to strong) for Johnson is the fact after every catch he acts like an A**hole. Be a professional. You are the Vet WR on the team. Then again this come full circle back to Tomlin. He allows the players free will to do as they please. Just my take. If Johnson catches the ball and hands it to the ref I personally would have a totally different outlook on him. His 10 for 10 game at one point in the game he had like 4 catches for 20 yards. After each catch a celebration of some sort. Now he made some clutch plays later and props to him. I personally as a fan am simply tired of the players doing as they please regardless if a flag is thrown and hurts the team. I have had enough of the ABs....Bell's....Claypool's..and their selfish antics. Play as a member of a team....not for yourself. Roast me if you want. We won sh*t with one of our most talented teams ever. There was a reason for that.