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The Pittsburgh Steelers have been as busy as any team during the free agency period. Along with many additions to both the offense and defense, the Steelers also have suffered losing two key receivers; JuJu Smith-Schuster and Ray-Ray McCloud. After the losses of both Smith-Schuster and McCloud and the NFL Draft right around the corner, it raises the question, what will the Steelers receiving core look like in 2022?
Diontae Johnson catching a touchdown vs the Buffalo Bills.
Johnson is coming off of a stellar 2021 season where he recorded over 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career along with 8 touchdowns. In comparison to 2020, Johnson took a big step forward and solidified himself as the Steelers number one receiver. Drops in the second half of the season became an issue but statistically, he had less than half of the drops than the previous year. A report earlier this year indicated that Johnson has been seeking an extension with the Steelers and wants somewhere in the range of $20 million for 5 years. The Steelers have yet to offer Johnson an extension, but Steelers fans can expect to see some sort of negotiations begin this summer. Recently it was reported that Johnson had not shown up to voluntary team workouts, but barring some drastic fallout, Steelers fans can expect to see Johnson be yet again the number one receiver on the roster.
Chase Claypool catching a pass vs the Minnesota Vikings.
Claypool has had quite an up and down first two seasons in the NFL. The Steelers used their 2020 2nd round pick to grab the star receiver out of Notre Dame and he quickly became one of the most dangerous weapons on the Steelers offense. Most notably in Week 4 of his rookie season, Claypool found the endzone four times against the Philadelphia Eagles. He then went on to finish the season with over 800 yards receiving and 9 touchdowns. Last year however was a different story for Claypool. He started 13 games and finished the season yet again with over 800 yards, but only recorded 2 touchdowns. There were times when he was questioned on his maturity, as most Steelers fans remember the Steelers Week 14 matchup on Thursday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings, when Claypool signaled for a first down with only seconds remaining on what could’ve been a game-tying drive. Those issues seemed to be resolved shortly after, and we saw a more focused Claypool during the remaining weeks of the season and Steeler fans should expect to see more of the same next season. Claypool will likely play a big role in the offense next season and will have a chance to solidify himself as one of the top young receivers in the league.
There is no doubt that the Steelers will be looking to add a receiver early in the 2022 NFL Draft and Steeler fans can expect to see that future pick have a significant role in the offense early on. A few of the names that have been thrown around are Ohio State’s Chris Olave, Skyy Moore out of Western Michigan, and Jahan Dotson out of Penn State. All of which would be significant threats to opposing defenses and would allow others such as Johnson and Claypool to have more one on one opportunities.
On Tuesday April 19th, it was reported that the Steelers claimed former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Miles Boykin off waivers. Boykin, who was put on IR due to a hamstring injury in the early stages of 2021, ended the season with just 8 games last season and only recorded one reception. After being drafted in the 3rd round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Boykin struggled to find his groove with the Ravens and only recorded 7 touchdowns and 470 receiving yards in three seasons. Nothing will stand out to when you look at Boykin’s stat line, but he does add solid depth to the Steelers receiving core. His run blocking ability and size will help this offense, and Boykin can be a significant role player when called upon.
The loss of McCloud not only left a vacancy for the Steelers at wide receiver, but also kick returner. That is until the they signed Gunner Olszewski, a wide receiver not known for his talents offensively, but more so his return game. The Steelers signed Olszewski for that purpose and intend on using him primarily for returns, but he does at the very best add depth to the receiving core. Olszewski only had 2 receptions and 3 targets all of last season. Steelers fans can expect to see his snap count at a minimum next season as well, but he will see his number called upon if the injury bug plagues the other receivers on the roster.
What do you think of the Steelers’ receiving core? What changes would you make? Leave a comment in the comment section below and tell us what you think!
#SteelerNation
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Diontae Johnson
Diontae Johnson catching a touchdown vs the Buffalo Bills.
Johnson is coming off of a stellar 2021 season where he recorded over 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career along with 8 touchdowns. In comparison to 2020, Johnson took a big step forward and solidified himself as the Steelers number one receiver. Drops in the second half of the season became an issue but statistically, he had less than half of the drops than the previous year. A report earlier this year indicated that Johnson has been seeking an extension with the Steelers and wants somewhere in the range of $20 million for 5 years. The Steelers have yet to offer Johnson an extension, but Steelers fans can expect to see some sort of negotiations begin this summer. Recently it was reported that Johnson had not shown up to voluntary team workouts, but barring some drastic fallout, Steelers fans can expect to see Johnson be yet again the number one receiver on the roster.
Chase Claypool
Chase Claypool catching a pass vs the Minnesota Vikings.
Claypool has had quite an up and down first two seasons in the NFL. The Steelers used their 2020 2nd round pick to grab the star receiver out of Notre Dame and he quickly became one of the most dangerous weapons on the Steelers offense. Most notably in Week 4 of his rookie season, Claypool found the endzone four times against the Philadelphia Eagles. He then went on to finish the season with over 800 yards receiving and 9 touchdowns. Last year however was a different story for Claypool. He started 13 games and finished the season yet again with over 800 yards, but only recorded 2 touchdowns. There were times when he was questioned on his maturity, as most Steelers fans remember the Steelers Week 14 matchup on Thursday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings, when Claypool signaled for a first down with only seconds remaining on what could’ve been a game-tying drive. Those issues seemed to be resolved shortly after, and we saw a more focused Claypool during the remaining weeks of the season and Steeler fans should expect to see more of the same next season. Claypool will likely play a big role in the offense next season and will have a chance to solidify himself as one of the top young receivers in the league.
Steelers Possible 2022 Draft Pick
There is no doubt that the Steelers will be looking to add a receiver early in the 2022 NFL Draft and Steeler fans can expect to see that future pick have a significant role in the offense early on. A few of the names that have been thrown around are Ohio State’s Chris Olave, Skyy Moore out of Western Michigan, and Jahan Dotson out of Penn State. All of which would be significant threats to opposing defenses and would allow others such as Johnson and Claypool to have more one on one opportunities.
Miles Boykin
On Tuesday April 19th, it was reported that the Steelers claimed former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Miles Boykin off waivers. Boykin, who was put on IR due to a hamstring injury in the early stages of 2021, ended the season with just 8 games last season and only recorded one reception. After being drafted in the 3rd round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Boykin struggled to find his groove with the Ravens and only recorded 7 touchdowns and 470 receiving yards in three seasons. Nothing will stand out to when you look at Boykin’s stat line, but he does add solid depth to the Steelers receiving core. His run blocking ability and size will help this offense, and Boykin can be a significant role player when called upon.
Gunner Olszewski
The loss of McCloud not only left a vacancy for the Steelers at wide receiver, but also kick returner. That is until the they signed Gunner Olszewski, a wide receiver not known for his talents offensively, but more so his return game. The Steelers signed Olszewski for that purpose and intend on using him primarily for returns, but he does at the very best add depth to the receiving core. Olszewski only had 2 receptions and 3 targets all of last season. Steelers fans can expect to see his snap count at a minimum next season as well, but he will see his number called upon if the injury bug plagues the other receivers on the roster.
What do you think of the Steelers’ receiving core? What changes would you make? Leave a comment in the comment section below and tell us what you think!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
