Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s completion percentage increases when throwing to big wide receivers.
When Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger takes the field this regular season, he’ll have a luxury he hasn’t had in quite some time — a big target in rookie wide receiver Chase Claypool.
Roethlisberger will be three seasons removed from the last towering receiver he had in Martavis Bryant. And we all know how that worked out. Just as the 6-4 receiver was coming into his own, he was suspended for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy in the 2016 offseason.
When Bryant returned in 2017, he put up a decent amount of yards in 15 games (603), but his touchdowns decreased by half (3) from the 2015 season (6). For his career in Pittsburgh, he logged 126 receptions on 224 targets.
Years prior to Bryant, WR Plaxico Burress was briefly on the receiving end of Roethlisberger’s passes. The 6-5 receiver recorded 38 receptions on 66 targets over a 15-game span.
Although Big Ben’s completion percentage average (64.3) ranks up there with some of the best QBs in the league, he has not always been pin-point accurate.
When Burress and Bryant were on the scene, however, Roethlisberger enjoyed completion percentages of 66 percent (2004), 67 percent (2014), and a career-high completion percentage of 68 percent in 2015.
Enter Chase “Mapletron” Claypool. His tight end-like measurables are impressive — 6-4, 238 lbs., 32-inch arms, just shy of 10-inch hands, and his NFL Combine vertical jump was 40.5. Arms and hands are comparable to Bryant (32-inch, 9.5-inch) and Burress (34-inch, 9.5-inch), but he’s the winner in the weight and vertical categories.
What could delay his impact is the talent ahead of him — Claypool will be battling JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, and James Washington for offensive snaps. His biggest competition could be Washington, who will likely be playing in the same position (outside X receiver).
What will help Claypool make his mark is his overwhelming size and speed, which is unlike any receiver the Steelers have had since Bryant. His expansive catch radius and ability to win contested catches will be a QB’s dream come true.
Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is scheduled to hit free agency in March.
There has been a lot of debate among fans about whether the Steelers should let wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster walk in 2021 free agency or sign him to a long-term extension.
It’s never been a question of talent. We all know the caliber of player Smith-Schuster can be (169 receptions for 2,343 yards in two seasons). 2019 was a subpar season for the receiver (42 receptions for 552 yards), mainly due to the lack of quarterback talent and injuries. When he was in the game, he seemed uncomfortable playing on the outside — struggling with drops and gaining separation from defenders.
Typically, the Steelers have negotiated contracts the season before free agency. I’m not so sure that happens with Smith-Schuster. I believe the team will want to see if he can step up production to deem himself worthy of a hefty extension.
“It was a tough season to evaluate with the different quarterbacks and some of JuJu’s injuries so it’s a tough season to evaluate from a lot of different standpoints,” Art Rooney II said in January, via PennLive.com. “Obviously we still think highly of JuJu and still think he’s going to be an outstanding player in the league moving forward and we will address the contract situation when it’s appropriate.”
Should Smith-Schuster rebound in 2020, his salary demands could price him out of what the Steelers are willing and able to pay.
Here are the options Smith-Schuster will contend with in January.
Having wide receiver Chase Claypool on the roster will open up the offensive playbook for coordinator Randy Fichtner.
It’s not every year that a rookie lands on a team with such offensive firepower as Ben Roethlisberger, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, James Washington, and Eric Ebron.
Chase Claypool, selected by the Steelers No. 49 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, was just that rookie.
The Steelers are a league-leader in three-receiver sets (about 70%). With the addition of the 6-4 Claypool, the playbook can be blown wide open for offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner and maybe we’ll even see more four-receiver sets.
Though Fichtner sees Claypool starting his career in Pittsburgh as an outside (X) receiver, the OC doesn’t want to pigeonhole him.
“You don’t want to ever put anyone in a box, said Fichtner. “[Claypool has] played some inside position. He’s probably more comfortable in being an outside-type receiver. He wins an awful lot of one-on-ones. I don’t remember not seeing him win a one-on-one, contested-type play.
Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
“It’s a more natural thing for the developing of an outside receiver to fit in and help,” Fichtner said. “Obviously the first thing you think about is he’s a possibility in the red zone, big target backing down the line, big target in the corners, those types of things. Like all of them, I wouldn’t say ‘He’s locked in, he has to be this.’”
Putting Claypool in the X with Johnson will allow Smith-Schuster to return to the inside (Y) position where he played when Antonio Brown was on the team. The Y seems to be a better fit for Smith-Schuster, and he was highly productive in that position.
In recent years, Steelers rookies have gotten on the field quicker, and I expect that trend will continue with Claypool. Transitioning to the pros from college is never an easy feat, but the talent surrounding Claypool will certainly help.
Adding Claypool should also make life easier for the veteran receivers, as well as Roethlisberger. Big Ben now has another huge target to throw to, giving him a slew of options like he’s never quite had before.
Claypool understands the limitations that not being at the Steelers facility will bring, but doesn’t feel it’ll hinder him much. He’s been getting some one-on-one work with former Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh and will continue to do so until NFL facilities reopen.
“I will be working with [T.J.] for a while, and then I will try to get to the facility as quick as I can just to get some work in with Ben and JuJu and the other receivers there and familiarize myself with the offense,” Claypool said. “I don’t think it will limit me because there will be more one-on-one work that I will be put in.”
The rumors that Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster is being traded to the 49ers are, reportedly, fake news.
Rumors began circulating on Monday stating that the San Fransisco 49ers had inquired about trading for Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
While the pre-draft period churns the rumor mill — some which are true and most which are not — this one, apparently, falls within the latter.
There are scenarios floating around that the 49ers will draft a wideout with their first pick (No. 13) and also that the organization is interested in trading down to acquire more equity.
The rumor linking Smith-Schuster to the 49ers is so far-fetched that a viable source can’t be found, except for a Twitter account called… wait for it… NFL Rumors. The tweet stated that the 49ers called the Steelers about the receiver; nothing was ever mentioned about a trade actually being in the works.
Though unverified, it could entirely be true that San Fransisco made the call. Judy Battista of NFL.com and Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette both took to Twitter to say there is no truth in Smith-Schuster being traded; not that an inquiry wasn’t made.
You may have JuJu Smith-Schuster linked to the Niners in a possible trade. Well-placed source says there is NO truth to the rumor that JuJu could potentially be available for a trade. Exhale Steelers fans.
Smith-Schuster has one year left on his rookie deal. There’s no doubt that the Steelers want to see what the receiver can do with a healthy Ben Roethlisberger back in the game.
Josh Hart continued to be a valuable player for his team in SLAM’s latest Call of Duty tournament.
New Orleans Pelicans guard Josh Hart had something to say during the middle of SLAM’s latest Call of Duty: Modern Warfare tournament.
“I’m just saying, I’m the undefeated champ right now,” Hart said on his stream, per SLAM’s Twitter account. “I’m 4-0. I haven’t lost in this.”
Hart remained undefeated Saturday night, helping Meyers Leonard’s team earn a win in week five of the Call of Duty tournaments. Hart and company won the series 4-3, defeating a team led by Donovan Mitchell. Portland Trail Blazers forward Mario Hezonja, Atlanta Hawks guard Brandon Goodwin and Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette made up some of Mitchell’s team.
Hart’s team included Washington Mystics forward Aerial Powers, Pittsburgh Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and Boston Celtics forward Semi Ojeleye.
Hart had a solid game in the fourth match of the series, when his team defeated Mitchell’s, 6-3, in Search and Destroy on St. Petrograd. He was one of three players on his team who tallied seven kills, with Powers and Leonard being the other two.
During that game, Smith-Schuster tied for first on the team with nine kills. Though Hart never had a kill-death ratio of one or higher, he contributed throughout.
The most kills he had in one game was 19, when he and his team won, 200-185, in Domination on Shoot House.
As a regular in the tournaments, Hart has made an impact for his teams. A quality contributor, Hart’s consistency makes him a quality Call of Duty gamer.
Semi Ojeleye showed out during his first appearance in SLAM’s Call of Duty tournaments.
SLAM added a few newcomers to its Call of Duty: Modern Warfafe tourney Saturday, and the Boston Celtics had a representative on the sticks.
Semi Ojeleye displayed his skills as a member of Meyers Leonard’s team. Leonard and company defeated a squad led by Donovan Mitchell, 4-3, in SLAM’s fifth Call of Duty tournament. Washington Mystics forward Aerial Powers, New Orleans Pelicans guard Josh Hart, Pittsburgh Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster were also on the winning team.
The rest of Mitchell’s team included Portland Trail Blazers wing Mario Hezonja, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette and Atlanta Hawks guard Brandon Goodwin.
Ojeleye’s team had a 3-1 series lead after winning, 6-3, in Search and Destroy on the map St. Petrograd.
Mitchell and his squad got a close 3-2 win in Capture the Flag, as well as a dominant 200-42 win in Headquarters to tie the series at 3-3.
Leonard’s squad closed the final game of the series well. The two teams played Domination on Hackney Yard, and Leonard’s team won 200-116. Ojeleye boasted a kill-death ratio of 2.07, and he had the second-highest number of kills on his team (31). Smith-Schuster had a team-high 51 kills in leading the team to the series-clinching win.
Ojeleye was one of his team’s top performers throughout the series. One of his best performances came during the first game, when the two teams played Search and Destroy on Crash. Ojeleye tied for first on his team in kills (11), as the squad won 6-1.
He had another quality performance during the second game of the series. The teams played Domination on Shoot House, and Ojeleye and company won, 200-185. He had 40 kills, the second-most on the team behind Leonard’s 48.
With Ojeleye having a good showing in his first appearance, perhaps he’ll play in future Call of Duty tournaments and help his team snag wins.
There were few surprises on this year’s list of the Top 50 NFL players in sales.
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Even with the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t their best, the fans support them. Steelers nation are many and they are fanatical. So it should come as no surprise when the NFLPA put out their Top 50 players in terms of sales, four members of the Pittsburgh Steelers made the list.
The highest-ranked player at No. 14 is wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Despite a down season, Smith-Schuster’s personality and off-field persona have garnered him a huge fanbase. Smith-Schuster is the second-highest ranked wide receiver on the list.
Other Steelers to make the list are outside linebacker T.J. Watt at No. 35, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick at No. 46 and running back James Conner at No. 47.
Topping the list for the last year was Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. In something of a surprise, former Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown didn’t make the list despite having three different team’s jerseys as options for his fans. However, former Steeler and current New York Jets running back Le’Veon Bell did make the list at No. 40.
Five Pittsburgh Steelers who need to put up big numbers in 2020 or get kicked to the curb.
Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
With injuries and subpar quarterback play, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster had an off-year in 2019. There’s no doubt he’ll be playing with a chip on his shoulder this coming season to prove to himself and the organization that he can be an elite player. Not to mention, it’s a contract year. If the Steelers are going to sign Smith-Schuster to an extension, he needs to have a stellar season; otherwise, he’ll be walking in free agency without much leverage to command big money elsewhere.
The Pittsburgh Steelers don’t seem like they will make it a priority to sign JuJu Smith-Schuster to a new contract any time soon.
From Emmanuel Sanders to Mike Wallace, the Steelers have a history of letting go of top wide receiver talent. I didn’t lump Antonio Brown in there for obvious reasons.
JuJu Smith-Schuster is in the final year of his contract, which begs the question of whether the Steelers will re-sign him or let him hit the free-agent market.
Multiple injuries and the loss of Ben Roethlisberger affected Smith-Schuster’s chances to produce as he did his first two seasons. With 2020 being a contract year, it’s expected that the receiver will return to form.
If the Steelers select a WR in this year’s draft and/or James Washington or Diontae Johnson have breakout seasons, it’ll be that much easier for the Steelers to bid adieu to Smith-Schuster.
Because of Smith-Schuster’s 2019 numbers, he doesn’t have much leverage to negotiate this offseason, and the Steelers have shown they don’t negotiate during the regular season. Smith-Schuster’s future with the Steelers will likely hang in the balance until the spring of 2021.
I would like to see the Steelers keep Smith-Schuster around, but if he has a career season in 2020, the price tag may be a bit too rich for the Steelers’ blood.
In an exclusive Steelers Wire interview, Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver talks about being drafted and what’s to come in 2020.
It was April 26, 2019. Diontae Johnson was surrounded by family and friends at an NFL draft party. His nerves were through the roof. He watched as receivers were flying off the board – Marquise Brown, N’Keal Harry, Deebo Samuel…
Johnson was growing more anxious. He was concerned about falling in the draft.
Then his phone rang. On the other end was Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin. “You ready to be a Steeler?” Tomlin asked.
Mock drafts – and there were plenty – projected that Johnson would be a late day three selection. But he said he didn’t let that get to his head. “Coming from a small school, people expected me to go late,” said Johnson. “I wasn’t really worried about that because when I got on the field, I was just going to let my game do the talking because the film speaks for itself. I can play with anybody, or against anybody that steps in front of me.”
Johnson’s film spoke loud and clear to the Steelers organization. He was selected 66th overall – the 10th wide receiver in the draft – the pick Pittsburgh received from the Los Angeles Raiders for Antonio Brown.
“I just started crying,” said Johnson. “Hearing coach [Darryl] Drake’s voice on the phone and coach Tomlin. And then Big Ben talking to me, congratulating me, welcoming me to the family was just crazy.”
It worked out nicely for both parties. Johnson finished the 2019 season as the leader in receptions (59) and touchdowns (5). He was second to James Washington with 680 yards receiving.
Next Man Up
The Steelers lost three main components to their offense – Ben Roethlisberger, James Conner, and JuJu Smith-Schuster – which forced the rookie into a more prominent role earlier than expected.
But Johnson didn’t mind one bit. It’s something he’s wanted all of his life.
“One guy goes down, and it’s next man up mentality for me,” said Johnson. “I felt like I had to just step up and make plays; show the coaches that I’m reliable, and they can count on me to catch the ball in those got-to-have-it-down situations.”
Johnson knows the depth chart isn’t static and, when the season starts, he has his eye on the prize. “Although JuJu’s receiver number one, I’m trying to work my way up there to be receiver number one as well, so… that’s just the competitiveness that’s in me.”
MAC the Knife
The Steelers punted 29 times last season, and Johnson was on the receiving end of 20. Harkening back to his Toledo days when he was twice named first-team All-MAC as a punt returner and 2018 MAC Special Teams Player of the Year, Johnson racked up 285 return yards for the black and gold.
In Week 14, Johnson returned a punt for an 85-yard touchdown and earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. He was later named All-Pro Second Team as a punt return specialist.
Dec 8, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) returns a punt 85 yards for a touchdown during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY
Those Who Came Before Him
Johnson had a few guys he watched a lot of during his years before going pro. As a kid growing up, it was Kansas City Chiefs’ wide receiver/return specialist, Dante Hall. Once he got to the University of Toledo, he looked up to Stefon Diggs and Jarvis Landry, who are now guys he calls friends.
“[Diggs and Landry are] both my favorite receivers,” Johnson said. “And I know them now. It’s crazy. So, I keep in contact with both of them, try to pick their brains and see what I can add to my game.”
Another brain he’s been picking is Antonio Brown. Johnson has spent time this offseason training with Brown and honing his craft.
The two met through Johnson’s former Toledo teammate and Steelers linebacker, Ola Adeniyi. “A.B. and me are real good friends,” Johnson said. “I work out with him when I’m down [in Florida]. We did some balance drills, core stuff, a lot of ball drills. We make sure we stay in shape. Just trying to focus on the core a lot because you need the core to play receiver. We did a lot of releases with DBs, too.”
Johnson has also been connecting with his quarterback. Though this offseason is unprecedented as it relates to team-building activities, Johnson and Roethlisberger have been doing what they can. “We’ve been talking more,” he said. “He’s been hitting me up, checking on me, seeing how I’ve been doing.”
‘We Got a Big Year’
Johnson is looking forward to having the crew back together this season. Even though he’s only in his second year, Johnson is aware of just how magical the Steelers can be when they’re clicking on all cylinders.
Johnson and Roethlisberger had very little time together on-field in 2019. He was targeted just six times in the six quarters Roethlisberger played. So, Johnson knows just how critical it is to get chemistry working.
“I’m going to go out there and keep taking those big steps, and, hopefully, I’ll be a reliable target for Ben,” said Johnson.
“Big Ben is just different,” he continued. “He knows how to throw the ball, turn it ways that other people can’t. He’s been helping take my game to another level. And I’m going to help him take his game to another level as well.”
Johnson knows with everyone healthy, the sky is the limit. “We got a big year,” said Johnson. “Our whole receiving corps, anybody can make plays. That’s just how good our receiving group is. I feel like we got the best receiving group in the league.”
It’s nearly impossible to forecast which two teams will make it to the end this early in the offseason. A native of Ruskin, Fla., 30 minutes south of the home of the 2020 Super Bowl, Johnson has the Super Bowl in his sights. “I want us to win a Super Bowl back home in Tampa.”
Among his other lofty but attainable goals for the season are to be a Pro Bowl receiver and have at least 100 catches for 1,000 yards.
Johnson had big shoes to fill when he came into Pittsburgh. Judging from his rookie season, it looks like he grew out of them.
