Steeler Fans Have No Idea What a #1 Receiver Is…

[Steeler Nation]

After interacting on our @SteelerNation Twitter Spaces Q&As, it has come to my attention that some Pittsburgh Steelers fans are having trouble understanding what a #1 WR is. Let me educate you. It’s the guy that has the most production on the team.

Diontae Johnson is that guy and plays the X WR position, where all our top targets always go. Antonio Brown, Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, and John Stallworth were all X receivers.

Johnson led our team in receptions, yardage, touchdowns, was #5 in the NFL in receptions, 10th in yards, and just made his first Pro Bowl; yet some of you aren’t happy with DJ and think we need a new #1 receiver? Give me one of the best receivers in the league at getting open quickly (#1 by PFF stats for separation yardage on the break), and I will build a team around that guy. He is also the only receiver we have that is immune to bump and run coverage. He makes defenders look foolish at the line of scrimmage when they try to knock him off his route.






By the way, he’s light years beyond the production of Ward, Brown, Holmes, and Stallworth in their first three years and is the only X WR to make the Pro Bowl in their first three seasons as a WR (AB did it as a returner in year two). He has more yards, touchdowns, and receptions in his first 3 years, than all of these receivers. Only Louis Lipps (Z WR) had more touchdowns and JuJu Smith-Schuster (slot) had more yardage in their first three years yet, neither played the X. In the past, it has taken about four years before an X WR finds their footing in our system to become productive. DJ is entering year four this year and is already productive.

A lot of Steeler fans want to throw the baby out with the bathwater here, yet the only thing I see, is a Pro Bowl #1 receiver who is only going to get better.



Don’t you think Diontae Johnson is a #1 receiver? Click to comment below!

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[madinsomniac]

My gosh… did you just bring logic and reason into a sports debate? Where is the knee jerk reactions and doom and gloom hot takes?

Don’t you get how this clickbait stuff works? Lol

Draft pick A didn’t immediately turn into a pro bowl starter, cut the bust…

Player B makes a ton of great plays but fumbles or drops the ball once in a critical time, cut the bum

Player C is a solid but not spectacular player… cut him because we should have a HOF level guy at every spot

 

[Drink IRON City]

Nice article and I hope many here read it. Deonte has worked HARD at his profession and has improved a lot. I definately want him as a STEELERS player for a long time so I hope the extention gets done and soon.



Salute the nation

 

[slashsteel]

After interacting on our @SteelerNation Twitter Spaces Q&As, it has come to my attention that some Pittsburgh Steelers fans are having trouble understanding what a #1 WR is. Let me educate you. It’s the guy that has the most production on the team.

Diontae Johnson is that guy and plays the X WR position, where all our top targets always go. Antonio Brown, Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, and John Stallworth were all X receivers.

Johnson led our team in receptions, yardage, touchdowns, was #5 in the NFL in receptions, 10th in yards, and just made his first Pro Bowl; yet some of you aren’t happy with DJ and think we need a new #1 receiver? Give me one of the best receivers in the league at getting open quickly (#1 by PFF stats for separation yardage on the break), and I will build a team around that guy. He is also the only receiver we have that is immune to bump and run coverage. He makes defenders look foolish at the line of scrimmage when they try to knock him off his route.






By the way, he’s light years beyond the production of Ward, Brown, Holmes, and Stallworth in their first three years and is the only X WR to make the Pro Bowl in their first three seasons as a WR (AB did it as a returner in year two). He has more yards, touchdowns, and receptions in his first 3 years, than all of these receivers. Only Louis Lipps (Z WR) had more touchdowns and JuJu Smith-Schuster (slot) had more yardage in their first three years yet, neither played the X. In the past, it has taken about four years before an X WR finds their footing in our system to become productive. DJ is entering year four this year and is already productive.

A lot of Steeler fans want to throw the baby out with the bathwater here, yet the only thing I see, is a Pro Bowl #1 receiver who is only going to get better.



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Did yinz like your own article? I wonder how Loudermilk would feel about that.

All kidding aside I think it they drafted Williams they could moved DJ to the slot. I see no reason why he couldn't be productive there too.

 

[madinsomniac]

Whether they pay DJ as a top receiver or not doesn’t alleviate the need for a wr… you need three good wrs in this league and a total of 5 serviceable ones… its a passing league… and injuries happen

 

[Steelr4evr]

Of course he has production ahead of guys on heavy run based teams...duh. We can't run and have been pass happy for years.

 

[Ike Kelly]

After interacting on our @SteelerNation Twitter Spaces Q&As, it has come to my attention that some Pittsburgh Steelers fans are having trouble understanding what a #1 WR is. Let me educate you. It’s the guy that has the most production on the team.

Diontae Johnson is that guy and plays the X WR position, where all our top targets always go. Antonio Brown, Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, and John Stallworth were all X receivers.

Johnson led our team in receptions, yardage, touchdowns, was #5 in the NFL in receptions, 10th in yards, and just made his first Pro Bowl; yet some of you aren’t happy with DJ and think we need a new #1 receiver? Give me one of the best receivers in the league at getting open quickly (#1 by PFF stats for separation yardage on the break), and I will build a team around that guy. He is also the only receiver we have that is immune to bump and run coverage. He makes defenders look foolish at the line of scrimmage when they try to knock him off his route.

By the way, he’s light years beyond the production of Ward, Brown, Holmes, and Stallworth in their first three years and is the only X WR to make the Pro Bowl in their first three seasons as a WR (AB did it as a returner in year two). He has more yards, touchdowns, and receptions in his first 3 years, than all of these receivers. Only Louis Lipps (Z WR) had more touchdowns and JuJu Smith-Schuster (slot) had more yardage in their first three years yet, neither played the X. In the past, it has taken about four years before an X WR finds their footing in our system to become productive. DJ is entering year four this year and is already productive.

A lot of Steeler fans want to throw the baby out with the bathwater here, yet the only thing I see, is a Pro Bowl #1 receiver who is only going to get better.



Don’t you think Diontae Johnson is a #1 receiver? Click to comment below!

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Stryker left out one important part of DJ’s feature to the offense. Route running. As being a X receiver, it’s exceptional. Another factoid when he was drafted, BA exclaimed “Dammit I wanted that guy!!. It somehow that got back to Colbert and Tomlin’s war room. LOL.

 

[SteelerFan448]

I'm not sure a majority of the fans feel that way, but rather that DJ isn't an elite No. 1.

Packers - Adams
Bucs - Evans, Godwin, Brown (if he didn't go AWOL)
Cowboys - Lamb, Cooper
Rams - Kupp, OBJ
Cardinals - Hopkins
Eagles - Smith
Titans - Brown
Chiefs - Hill
Bills - Diggs
Bengals - Chase
Raiders - Renfrow
Patriots - Bourne

These are just the playoff teams. DJ is probably in the 14-15 range, at best, just among these teams. Btw, I'm favor of re-signing him, but also acknowledge the Steelers will eventually need to find a stud No. 1. They may have the chance in the first round this year.

 

[stuntmanmike]

He had 170 targets caught 53 percent, 1100 yards also had a HOF qb throwing at him… Jamarr chase had less targets almost 1500 yards… waddle another rookie caught 63 percent with a scatter armed qb... those were just the rookies that were better. Johnson is average that’s it and that’s all... he’s 5’10 180 he’s doesn’t catch the ball in traffic well not even mentioning about his drops. Worse thing you could do to rookie qb is match him up with DJ. he’s going to want big money and he’s just average. Trade him now! same with highsmith he’s got pumped up numbers starting with Watt and IH2. Worlds did the same. Remember worlds?? Same~o ****! Trade them while you can get something better or equal to them. Trade up or stock pike picks but is a team that can’t afford to just watch players walk out the door. Learn from the bell and AB fiasco! Learn from past! Those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it! DOOMED I tell ya!!! DOOOOMMMEDDDD!!!

 

[SteelerFan448]

Trade him now! same with highsmith he’s got pumped up numbers starting with Watt and IH2. Worlds did the same.

So you want the Steelers to trade two starters on a rookie deal with the expectation of replacing them with equal or better talent how exactly?

 

[insaniti]

I'm not sure a majority of the fans feel that way, but rather that DJ isn't an elite No. 1.

Packers - Adams
Bucs - Evans, Godwin, Brown (if he didn't go AWOL)
Cowboys - Lamb, Cooper
Rams - Kupp, OBJ
Cardinals - Hopkins
Eagles - Smith
Titans - Brown
Chiefs - Hill
Bills - Diggs
Bengals - Chase
Raiders - Renfrow
Patriots - Bourne

These are just the playoff teams. DJ is probably in the 14-15 range, at best, just among these teams. Btw, I'm favor of re-signing him, but also acknowledge the Steelers will eventually need to find a stud No. 1. They may have the chance in the first round this year.

What the actual ****?!

First, I'll give you 5 of those guys being elite. 5!
Smith, a rookie with "ok" numbers, definitely not elite, and definitely not better than DJ.

Amari Copper hasn't been elite, ever. He put up above average numbers when he first got to Dallas, but last year was dreadful.

Renfrow? What? He doubles his season average in year 3, and it's still under DJ. Seriously?

Bourne...I had to look up who the **** he was. And then the stats...you must be high.

AJ Brown is more like Claypool, huge potential, still hasn't put it all together. Could be a Calvin Johnson type, but he's not. Not even close.

Jamarr Chase was the 5th overall pick, and is a freak. He's the best WR the AFC north has ever seen outside of AB.

You think our ****** offense had anything to do with his catch %? He always had a guy with a yard of him because teams could press cover without fear. We weren't running deep, we weren't running the ball well at all, and we couldn't give Ben more than a couple seconds to pass.

 

[Drink IRON City]

What the actual ****?!

First, I'll give you 5 of those guys being elite. 5!
Smith, a rookie with "ok" numbers, definitely not elite, and definitely not better than DJ.

Amari Copper hasn't been elite, ever. He put up above average numbers when he first got to Dallas, but last year was dreadful.

Renfrow? What? He doubles his season average in year 3, and it's still under DJ. Seriously?

Bourne...I had to look up who the **** he was. And then the stats...you must be high.

AJ Brown is more like Claypool, huge potential, still hasn't put it all together. Could be a Calvin Johnson type, but he's not. Not even close.

Jamarr Chase was the 5th overall pick, and is a freak. He's the best WR the AFC north has ever seen outside of AB.

You think our ****** offense had anything to do with his catch %? He always had a guy with a yard of him because teams could press cover without fear. We weren't running deep, we weren't running the ball well at all, and we couldn't give Ben more than a couple seconds to pass.

Great Post insaniti, thank you



I'd like to see those other WRs play in this steelers offense. Not just WRs but QBs as well. Many would find out that our players weren't nearly as bad as the stats.

The question now becomes will this offense move forward and up now that we have a second year man at OC. ?




Salute the nation

 

[SteelerFan448]

What the actual ****?!

First, I'll give you 5 of those guys being elite. 5!
Smith, a rookie with "ok" numbers, definitely not elite, and definitely not better than DJ.

Amari Copper hasn't been elite, ever. He put up above average numbers when he first got to Dallas, but last year was dreadful.

Renfrow? What? He doubles his season average in year 3, and it's still under DJ. Seriously?

Bourne...I had to look up who the **** he was. And then the stats...you must be high.

AJ Brown is more like Claypool, huge potential, still hasn't put it all together. Could be a Calvin Johnson type, but he's not. Not even close.

Jamarr Chase was the 5th overall pick, and is a freak. He's the best WR the AFC north has ever seen outside of AB.

You think our ****** offense had anything to do with his catch %? He always had a guy with a yard of him because teams could press cover without fear. We weren't running deep, we weren't running the ball well at all, and we couldn't give Ben more than a couple seconds to pass.

The premise of the post wasn't who is elite, it is who would put ahead of Johnson in terms of talent. I also never said Cooper, Renfrow, Bourne ranked ahead of DJ, just listing them as the top options for their respective teams.

I'd rank Adams, Evans, Godwin, Brown (talent, not availability), Lamb, Kupp, OBJ, Hopkins, Brown, Hill, Diggs, and Chase all ahead of DJ. I was one off, that puts him at 13th among playoff receivers.

 

[Hypocycloids]

I do too know what a #1 receiver is.

 

[insaniti]

The premise of the post wasn't who is elite, it is who would put ahead of Johnson in terms of talent. I also never said Cooper, Renfrow, Bourne ranked ahead of DJ, just listing them as the top options for their respective teams.

I'd rank Adams, Evans, Godwin, Brown (talent, not availability), Lamb, Kupp, OBJ, Hopkins, Brown, Hill, Diggs, and Chase all ahead of DJ. I was one off, that puts him at 13th among playoff receivers.

So let me get this straight, you didn't list those guys because they were above DJ, just that they were the number one guy on their team. Then why bring them into the conversation at all? The argument is that DJ isn't worth top ten WR money, because he's not a true number one WR right? Who cares if they are playoff WR's or not... a talented WR doesn't guarantee a playoff spot. Case in point, Allen Robinson. Heck of a WR, was stuck on the Bears. Adam Thielen, Tyler Lockett, Jarvis Landry, Devante Parker...etc

$15m/year is going to be average WR money in two years when his extension (if he gets one this year) would kick in. And he's produced in a **** offense, with a **** offensive line, with a **** offensive playcaller, against press coverage, with little to no help. I don't think DJ is ever going to be the best WR in the league, he may not even be mentioned in the top 5, but he is definitely in the conversation of top 10, and he's still only going into his 4th year.

 

[FSF]

I hate the #1 WR schtick and don’t give a flying **** about it.

Never believed that there was such a thing as #1 WR, especially when you have a pair that can easily beat you in different ways. Who really was the Steelers #1 WR when it was Burress & Ward? Ward made majorly of catches but Burress made the big plays & wasn’t lacking in production.

It’s ridiculous & just something for talking heads to blabber about

 

[Badcat]

I hate the #1 WR schtick and don’t give a flying **** about it.

Never believed that there was such a thing as #1 WR, especially when you have a pair that can easily beat you in different ways. Who really was the Steelers #1 WR when it was Burress & Ward? Ward made majorly of catches but Burress made the big plays & wasn’t lacking in production.

It’s ridiculous & just something for talking heads to blabber about

Couldn't agree more with this. You could be the best damn WR on the field but if the QB has "Chemistry" with another WR and he gains the majority of targets is he the best WR on the field? It's all bullshit.

BTW To the author of the article. the "slot" WR is the "Y".

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Of course he has production ahead of guys on heavy run based teams...duh. We can't run and have been pass happy for years.

This is a great point for comparison purposes.

I like DJ, but when the entire offense has been predicated on getting the ball out of Ben’s hand in 1.5 seconds where the heck do yinz think the ball is going???

Maybe the one guy that wins at the LOS on a consistent basis?

Yeah DJ plays the X too, but the only comparison of any of those that is close to apples to apples would be AB as our offense of late can’t be legitimately compared to the run heavy Bus years or the 70s. The years with AB were the most similar style and that was back when Ben could move a bit/willing to extend plays.

 

[TDX27]

Sorry but AJ Brown has been great. I would take him over DJ without batting an eye and it's not even close. DJ is nowhere near the top 10 WR's in the league. He may be a WR1 but he is in the back half of the league. There are 32 teams. Heck, as noted above, Tampa, at one point this year had 3 WR's better than DJ (Evans, Godwin, and Brown). Even the Bungholes you could argue have 2 better with Chase and Higgins. So......DJ should get an offer but as I've stated numerous times, he is not top 10 or even top 15. I'd offer him in the 20-25 range and then, at worst, come down to near top 15 range. If he won't take that, then he is replaceable before next year. Don't overpay for him or a QB.

 

[SteelerFan448]

So let me get this straight, you didn't list those guys because they were above DJ, just that they were the number one guy on their team. Then why bring them into the conversation at all? The argument is that DJ isn't worth top ten WR money, because he's not a true number one WR right? Who cares if they are playoff WR's or not... a talented WR doesn't guarantee a playoff spot. Case in point, Allen Robinson. Heck of a WR, was stuck on the Bears. Adam Thielen, Tyler Lockett, Jarvis Landry, Devante Parker...etc

$15m/year is going to be average WR money in two years when his extension (if he gets one this year) would kick in. And he's produced in a **** offense, with a **** offensive line, with a **** offensive playcaller, against press coverage, with little to no help. I don't think DJ is ever going to be the best WR in the league, he may not even be mentioned in the top 5, but he is definitely in the conversation of top 10, and he's still only going into his 4th year.

DJ is a good receiver and I’d pay him $15 million a year. I also think the Steelers should actively try to find a true alpha at wide receiver. DJ is good, he’s just no where near that top group of receivers. I think the Steelers expected Claypool to develop into that type of option and he hasn’t.

I really don’t understand why it’s a problem to say DJ isn’t in the upper echelon of No. 1 receivers because he isn’t.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

DJ is a good receiver and I’d pay him $15 million a year. I also think the Steelers should actively try to find a true alpha at wide receiver. DJ is good, he’s just no where near that top group of receivers. I think the Steelers expected Claypool to develop into that type of option and he hasn’t.

I really don’t understand why it’s a problem to say DJ isn’t in the upper echelon of No. 1 receivers because he isn’t.

If he isn't he is close. I have to disagree on this one. He has elite ability to get open quickly. He has elite ability to make cuts. When his head is on straight he has elite catching ability. His ONLY issues in my book is mental toughness after a drop and better decisions on cuts based on down and distance.

 

[Stryker]

Stryker left out one important part of DJ’s feature to the offense. Route running. As being a X receiver, it’s exceptional. Another factoid when he was drafted, BA exclaimed “Dammit I wanted that guy!!. It somehow that got back to Colbert and Tomlin’s war room. LOL.

Excellent point. I mean separation is a big part of route running and I mentioned his separation, but excellent point Ike.

Some of you seem to want WRs that we had no chance of drafting. Top 10 drafted WRs are usually uber talented and with college being a passing league, they get very good in college and are NFL ready with NFL bodies.

We got our Pro Bowl WR in the 3rd round at pick 33 (part of the AB trade value from the Raiders Lolz...)

Here's some more stats for you. #2 in the AFC in receptions. 4th WR in AFC in Yards (though TE Anderson is above him).

He's solidly an AFC Pro Bowl receiver and he should have earned the vote without Chase being in the SB.

He's a top 10 WR in this league.

And Bill, I like your points as well. Lipps was a #1 as a Z. The year JuJu and AB both made the pro bowl, you could argue who was '#1' and AB would be upset and leave the team if you didn't vote him as #1...

 

[SteelerFan448]

If he isn't he is close. I have to disagree on this one. He has elite ability to get open quickly. He has elite ability to make cuts. When his head is on straight he has elite catching ability. His ONLY issues in my book is mental toughness after a drop and better decisions on cuts based on down and distance.

Johnson can get open with the best of them, but he hasn't shown that consistent big play ability or making the tough contested catch like others do.

These are the guys (when healthy) I believe are better than Johnson :

Ja'Marr Chase
Stefon Diggs
Tyreek Hill
Keenan Allen
Mike Williams
AJ Brown
Brandin Cooks
CeeDee Lamb
Cooper Kupp
Odell Beckham Jr.
DeAndre Hopkins
Deebo Samuel
DK Metcalf
Tyler Lockett
DeVante Adams
Justin Jefferson
Mike Evans
Chris Godwin
Antonio Brown
Michael Thomas

Then there's a group of Tee Higgins, Terry McLaurin, Michael Pittman Jr., Jaylen Waddle, Devonta Smith that have arguments. I have DJ somewhere in this crowd right now.

Again, he's a very talented wide receiver who has only increased his productive throughout his career. He's just not an elite No. 1.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

Johnson can get open with the best of them, but he hasn't shown that consistent big play ability or making the tough contested catch like others do.

These are the guys (when healthy) I believe are better than Johnson :

Ja'Marr Chase
Stefon Diggs
Tyreek Hill
Keenan Allen
Mike Williams
AJ Brown
Brandin Cooks
CeeDee Lamb
Cooper Kupp
Odell Beckham Jr.
DeAndre Hopkins
Deebo Samuel
DK Metcalf
Tyler Lockett
DeVante Adams
Justin Jefferson
Mike Evans
Chris Godwin
Antonio Brown
Michael Thomas

Then there's a group of Tee Higgins, Terry McLaurin, Michael Pittman Jr., Jaylen Waddle, Devonta Smith that have arguments. I have DJ somewhere in this crowd right now.

Again, he's a very talented wide receiver who has only increased his productive throughout his career. He's just not an elite No. 1.

He is right there with most of those guys. I really don't get your hate for him considering how ****** our offense was his numbers are fantastic. Imagine if we had a real offense how his numbers would have looked. Pair him with Ben in his prime and he would be off the charts. You punish him for Canada and our line when you should be raisning him up for his performance despite them.

 

[SteelerFan448]

He is right there with most of those guys. I really don't get your hate for him considering how ****** our offense was his numbers are fantastic. Imagine if we had a real offense how his numbers would have looked. Pair him with Ben in his prime and he would be off the charts. You punish him for Canada and our line when you should be raisning him up for his performance despite them.

How am I hating on Johnson by simply not calling him elite? He's not. I have him in the 20-25 range of wide receivers and believe they should extend his contract.