Diontae Johnson is flourishing with Ben Roethlisberger at QB and is the Steelers DraftKings player to start in Week 3 against Houston.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 2-0 and getting back to their balanced offensive attack with future of Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger healthy and resuming his climb up the NFL record books.
The Steelers returned to practice on Wednesday to prepare for the Texans in Week 3, and both wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) and Diontae Johnson (toe) sat out practice. Johnson currently leads the Steelers with 14 receptions for 149 yards and a touchdown and with Pittsburgh facing a Texans defense that currently ranks 25th in defensive efficiency, the young wideout is the Steelers player to pick up in DraftKings’ DFS format.
Fantasy football managers on Draftkings and all platforms should not only roster but start the second-year wideout who led the team with 59 receptions last season, and has become one of Roethlisberger’s most reliable targets.
Johnson has reached double-digit targets in each of the first two weeks including eight passes for 92 yards and a touchdown against the Broncos last Sunday. Johnson and Smith-Schuster are looking like one of the top wide receiving duos in the league and the second-year pro should flourish while continuing to fly under the radar.
Through the first two weeks of the season, there hasn’t been much involvement from the Steelers’ tight ends.
Even with the success the Steelers offense has had so far, it hasn’t been extraordinary.
With the addition of tight end Eric Ebron in the offseason, it was presumed that he and Vance McDonald would be involved early and often. That hasn’t been the case so far, but it could certainly open up the offense.
Mike Tomlin said in his weekly press conference that we ain’t seen nothin’ yet.
“It’s early. Keep watching… At this juncture in the season, a two-game body of work is not a big enough sample to assess. We are pleased with the development of [Eric] Ebron and his role within our system and time will tell that story as we proceed.”
Mike Tomlin on Ebron not being targeted as often as expected: "It's early, keep watching."
Offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner had this to say in the early days of training camp about two tight end formations:
“I think that it automatically puts yourself in that position. Now again, availability is always the biggest issue when you play that really tough position. You have to play it somewhat like a racecar. But you have to be able to be a Ford truck, too. They play in a world that is very physical, and their availability will allow us to utilize two tight ends, if not more, and that will be awesome. I always feel comfortable when I have two tight ends, dependable, that can equally be good in the pass and the run.”
There are 11 targets, six receptions and 67 yards between Ebron and McDonald so far.
With the Indianapolis Colts, Ebron faced the Houston Texans twice in 2019. In those matchups, the tight end was 8-for-10 with 114 yards and a touchdown.
Considering Tomlin hinted of things to come and Fichtner seemed open to utilizing two tight end formation; hopefully, they’ll unveil it sooner than later.
There appears to be a silver lining with the injury to Steelers running back James Conner. Early diagnosis is that he avoided the dreaded high ankle sprain. While any injury puts a damper on Conner’s big redemption season, it could definitely have been worse.
High ankle sprains sideline running backs typically for several weeks. Giants running back Saquon Barkley suffered a high ankle in practice last season. Though Barkley only missed three games, he was not quite the same upon his return.
One technical tweak and Diontae Johnson should be golden.
Diontae Johnson’s rookie season is now a thing of the past.
Those days are behind him now, but with that comes game tape that upcoming opponents have and will scrutinize. An issue that will immediately jump out when watching Johnson is his inconsistency with ball security.
Where the quarterback places his throws is vital for receivers, especially new guys, so Diontae’s drops could’ve quickly been passed off as a by-product of subpar quarterback play.
Unfortunately, though, ball instability was an issue that went unaddressed at Toledo. In three seasons with the Rockets, Johnson’s erratic ball skills led to 17 drops and four fumbles (two lost), and it followed him from NCAA to the pros.
AP Photo/Jose Juarez
Ball skills were a glaring weakness noted in analysts’ draft profiles on Johnson across the board.
Drops and fumbles reared their ugly heads in Pittsburgh, no thanks, in part, to the speed and strength of pro defenders. The velocity of the ball is also significantly different from college to the NFL.
Excluding quarterbacks, Diontae led the Steelers in fumbles (two lost) last year with five, which tied for fifth in the league. He added to that six disappointing drops. Johnson’s five fumbles were four more than JuJu Smith-Schuster, and James Washington has in their careers combined.
Johnson had instances last season where poor technique with ball security cost him. He self-jarred the ball loose with his knee or the ground due to not having the ball tightly guarded. Diontae had a nasty habit of cradling the football in a haphazard, unnatural looking way (versus tucking it), which exposes the ball, and allows defenders to conveniently strip it. It’s especially concerning in cases where a defender sneaks up on him. Johnson must correct his ball-handling technique, especially while navigating traffic.
Defenders have tunnel-vision on the ball carrier and sniff out signs of a bobble. One indication the ball is slipping, and it’s the defenders’ job to punch it out. They have, and they will.
Johnson needs to get his hands properly aligned to catch the football consistently. And once he does, adhere to the five points of pressure for a ball carrier (fingertips, palms, forearms, biceps, chest). Focusing on the five points will help ensure the ball is protected from defenders. When the ball is secured through these points of contact, it is nearly impossible for the defender to get the ball out. Fumbles occur when one of the points of pressure is typically lacking, which can result in a turnover.
Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
The good news for Johnson and the Steelers is that skillfulness and technique with ball security are coachable and learnable. Catch-to-tuck, five points of pressure, the technical skill at the point of the catch are all things that are drilled into receivers’ heads in daily ball security meetings. It was, without question, a focal point of Johnson’s offseason training and will continue to be worked on in practices.
The JUGS machine is a receiver’s best friend — drill regularity should help strengthen and improve his hands and catching consistency. Johnson’s noted body transformation should also help boost his ability to hang onto the ball when he endures tough hits.
As we were witness to, Diontae has terrific upside. He had an impressive rookie season and far outplayed his draft prospectus with the Steelers in year one. Johnson showed the ability to adjust to poor throws and track the ball vertically, leading not only the Steelers but the 2019 rookie class in receptions with 59.
If Johnson can refine his ball security technique, it could catapult him from good to great in 2020.
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Pro Football Focus revealed their annual breakout player predictions for every NFL team, and — surprise, surprise — they selected wide receiver Diontae Johnson as the Steelers candidate for breakout player.
In his predictions, PFF’s Anthony Treash writes:
Johnson has been high on several PFF analysts’ radars dating back to his days at Toledo, and he showed glimpses in his 2019 rookie year (particularly down the stretch) that verify our projection of him. Four of his five best games of the year came in his final four games, and that led to him being the sixth-highest graded player at the position in that span.
He’s tough to bring down after the catch, too; Johnson broke 18 tackles on 59 catches, tying for the most in the league with Deebo Samuel. If he keeps up his play from late in 2019, he’s in line for a big 2020 campaign.
Treash included a 2019 Tweet from PFF’s Sam Monson highlighting Johnson’s play versus the Buffalo Bills.
Diontae Johnson is a rookie.
PFF loved him coming out because he doesn't look like it.
Look at this release+hand placement. Absolutely SAUCES T White, who is an elite cornerback pic.twitter.com/BQZVWdGFqj
In May, Monson selected Johnson as one of two Steelers (linebacker Devin Bush) among eight potential breakout second-year players for 2020.
Johnson’s encouraging rookie season has set him up nicely for a remarkable forthcoming campaign. With Ben Roethlisberger back at the helm for Pittsburgh, there’s no reason why he can’t make that sophomore leap into breakoutdom.
Nursing a foot injury, Johnson is expected to play Monday night versus the Giants at MetLife Stadium.
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Experience wins (almost) every time and should provide the Steelers with leverage in 2020.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in an ideal situation. Not only has there not been much player turnover, but their head coach and coordinators have been with the club for a combined 43 years.
Mike Tomlin (head coach) — 2007-current
Randy Fichtner (WRs/QBs, offense) — 2007-current
Keith Butler (linebackers, defense) – 2003-current
In a year where there were no minicamps or OTAs and training camp transitioned into the regular season without as much as one preseason game, having an experienced coaching staff is critical.
Three of the Steelers upcoming opponents welcomed new head coaches this season: Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns; Mike McCarthy, Dallas Cowboys; and Joe Judge, New York Giants.
Stefanski and Judge have never coached an NFL game in their lives. McCarthy, however, was head coach of the Green Bay Packers for 12 seasons until he was fired in December 2018.
Typically, the NFL awards teams with a new head coach an additional minicamp, allowing extra time to install their systems and get to know players. That didn’t happen this year.
The Browns have hired a new head coach every 1.75 seasons since returning to Cleveland in 1999 (12 times), and the owners, unknowingly, couldn’t have picked a worse year to revamp. Stefanski and his staff were forced to develop the Browns Way 12.0 virtually.
The Bengals have second-year head coach Zac Taylor and rookie quarterback Joe Burrow. Because the pandemic delayed in-person player/coach unions, Taylor only just met his new quarterback face-to-face in July.
The Bengals, Browns, Cowboys and Giants could surprise us all and actually have their house in order come game time.
We’re about to see just how extensive the advantage of team loyalty is and if it translates to winning games. But I’m betting that experience wins out.
SiriusXM Blitz co-host pictures the Steelers hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in 2021.
Bruce Murray and Brady Quinn broke down their predictions for conference champions and Super Bowl on their show SiriusXM Blitz on Wednesday.
The two have the Steelers and Chiefs repping the AFC but predicted opposite winners.
For Murray, it came down to Baltimore or Pittsburgh in the conference championship. “Everything you’re hearing and seeing about Ben Roethlisberger coming back from that injury, with the arm being sound… I think it’s easy to see [Pittsburgh in it].”
Murray doesn’t have the Steelers winning the AFC North but does envision Baltimore faltering in the playoffs, as they have the last two seasons — leaving Pittsburgh to battle Kansas City for the conference. Murray picked the Chiefs as victors.
While Murray speculates Kansas City in the Super Bowl, Quinn has the Steelers beating the Chiefs for a trip to Tampa.
“I think [the Steelers] might be one of the only teams that defensively has the pieces to match up with the Chiefs offense,” Quinn said. “Also, offensively, put some pressure on the Chiefs and put up some points through the air and on the ground.”
Quinn, a former first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns, thinks Pittsburgh’s team checks all the boxes they need to be successful.
“They get JuJu Smith-Schuster coming back healthy with a second-round pick in Chase Claypool. And Diontae Johnson, James Washington to go along with their tight ends, their run game. They really do have it all.”
“As long as Ben stays healthy and plays the way he’s capable of, this team shouldn’t have any shortcomings,” said Quinn. “I have the Pittsburgh Steelers winning it all in 2020 and beating the New Orleans Saints, unfortunately for Drew Brees and Sean Payton… It may be one of the last [Super Bowl wins] Pittsburgh has with Big Ben.”
Then Quinn asked the question all of Steelers Nation has since the pandemic surfaced, and the NFL decided to make a go of the season.
“What’s going to happen if Ben Roethlisberger gets COVID and has to miss a couple of weeks — will Mason Rudolph be able to take over and do enough at the quarterback spot?” Quinn asked, hypothetically. “There are all kinds of questions that are yet to play out [for the league].”
For those who may remember, Quinn played in the NFL for a spell. He was selected 22nd overall in the 2007 NFL Draft by Cleveland, where he appeared in 14 games over three seasons. He spent his final season with the Chiefs in 2012.
I think we can all agree, Quinn is a far better analyst/radio co-host than he was a pro football player. And not just because he picked the Steelers to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in 2021.
Stream the NFL and the Pittsburgh Steelers all season long right here without cable, this is your best bet to follow the NFL this year.
The NFL is set to return this week starting with Thursday Night Football and will continue this weekend with the NFL Opening Weekend. If you recently cut cable or are looking for a way to watch your Pittsburgh Steelers this season, you’ve come to the right place.
You don’t want to miss any of the action this year, below is all your tune-in information for this week and 2020 season!
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Pittsburgh Steelers 2020 Schedule
Sept. 14: at New York Giants, 7:15 p.m., ESPN
Sept. 20: vs. Denver Broncos, 1 p.m., CBS
Sept. 27: vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m., CBS
Oct. 4: at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m., CBS
Oct. 11: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m., Fox
Oct. 18: vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m., CBS
Oct. 25: at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m., CBS
Nov. 8: at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Nov. 15: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m., Fox
Nov. 22: at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m., CBS
Nov. 26: vs. Baltimore Ravens, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Dec. 6: vs. Washington Redskins, 1 p.m., Fox
Dec. 13: at Buffalo Bills, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Dec. 21: at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Dec. 27: vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m., CBS
Jan. 3: at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m., CBS
NFL Odds and Betting Lines
NFL odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds last updated Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Pittsburgh (-5.5) at New York Giants
To Win the Superbowl: +3000
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Depth at linebacker and safety is a concern for the Steelers.
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Keith Butler more on the depth at linebacker and safety: 'We'll take all the good players we can get. Do we need more good players at those positions? Yeah.'
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a good roster. A very good one, in fact. But as with every team in the NFL, there is always room for improvement. Steelers defensive coordinator spoke to the media via Zoom on Tuesday and Butler was frank when talking about two positions in particular.
According to Butler, the team needs more good players at linebacker and safety. This might come as something of a surprise but we have to look past the obvious. First, at linebacker, the starters are set. Devin Bush and Vince Williams are both impressive players. But if either guy goes down with an injury there is no one on the roster with any real experience.
Moving to safety, I feel like things are probably better than Butler gives them credit for. Players like Marcus Allen, Antonio Brooks Jr., Curtis Riley and Jordan Dangerfield are a nice lineup behind Terrell Edmunds and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Having said that, if the Steelers did want to look elsewhere, a hybrid player who can either move between safety and linebacker or better still a coverage player who has more cornerback traits makes sense.
The rub with all of this is money. There are some free agents out there now the Steelers might want to look at. But how do they pay for it? This will be the mystery they have to solve if they want to bolster either these positions.
Also I’m not kneeling for the flag and screw anybody who have a problem with that. My grandmother was a immigrant from the Carribean and age worked her ass off to bring 20 people over the right way. She had no money and educated herself to be a nurse. She living good now.
We so much emphasis on social justice right now, speaking your truth about NFL players kneeling during the national anthem is dangerous business for all involved.
But to be clear, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt will be standing. Tuitt sent out this powerful tweet on Monday to let everyone know he is standing, why he’s doing it and how he feels about anyone who has am issue with it.
The Steelers have never had a player kneel during the anthem but with so much going on in the country right now it seems a foregone conclusion this will change this season. But don’t look for Tuitt to be one of them.
