If there is such a thing as being a 100-reception receiver and still being relatively anonymous, that’s the story with Diontae Johnson of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Johnson has caught 195 passes over the last 2 seasons, including 107 passes for 1,161 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2021. With the Steelers losing 3 wide receivers to free agency (not to mention retired QB Ben Roethlisberger), Johnson and Chase Claypool are the only veteran receivers left as the Steelers offense takes on a much different look.
Below, we look at Diontae Johnson‘s 2022 fantasy football average draft position (ADP) and where you should draft him.
Diontae Johnson’s ADP: 49.29
(ADP data courtesy of MyFantasyLeague.com; last updated at time of this publishing – ADPs continually change as more drafts occur)
Once you get to the lower end of the WR2 position, you start running into No. 2 receivers in offenses expected to be prolific and No. 1 receivers in offenses with new quarterbacks and some uncertainty if the numbers of the past can be replicated.
Johnson checks in with an ADP at 49.29, the 1st receiver after Jaylen Waddle (Miami Dolphins) at 45.34 and directly in front of a mini-run at wide receiver including Terry McLaurin (Washington Commanders) at 49.30, Mike Williams (Los Angeles Chargers) at 51.08 and D.K. Metcalf (Seattle Seahawks) at 52.20.
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Diontae Johnson’s 2021 stats
Games: 16
Receptions | targets: 107 | 169
Receiving yards: 1,161
Receiving touchdowns: 8
Where should you draft Johnson?
The problem you have pulling the trigger on drafting Johnson is the anticipated changing of the guard at quarterback. Mitchell Trubisky is a veteran and likely to get the first shot at replacing Big Ben, but the moment he runs into problems, the fan base will be clamoring to start 1st-round draft choice Kenny Pickett.
Johnson has been a consistent high-volume possession receiver, who will likely see his big plays limited, but there is no reason to believe his numbers will fall off the table. A season of 80 receptions for 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns sounds like reasonable expectations.
The Steelers will need some inexperienced receivers to emerge behind Johnson and Claypool, but don’t sleep on Johnson’s ability to approach 100 receptions. However, this is typically the point in fantasy drafts where No. 2 receivers from proven offenses tend to go before the go-to guy on teams with question marks.
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