Crowley: Steelers' Diontae Johnson Is 'A Great Route Runner' But There's So Much 'More' To Being Productive

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Diontae Johnson had a difficult year in 2022. He missed part of training camp sitting out to secure a two-year extension worth $36.71 million to put him into the top 20 pass catchers. He led the team in targets, receptions, and yards, but failed to score a touchdown in 17 games. As he enters his fifth season in the league, the 2021 Pro Bowler has set some ambitious goals for himself. However, achieving his aspirations may require assistance from those around him to get back on the path to NFL stardom he was once on.

Former Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats is a big fan and thinks he can bounce back. He recently broke down some of his plays from the 2022 season and highlighted Johnson's versatility and ability to play at any receiver spot. Adam Crowley of The Fan Morning Show on 93.7 The Fan said that he has a tough time assessing the team's 2019 third-round pick. 

"He's a great route runner and he will do things at times that will absolutely mystify you," he said. "He'll leave corners in the dust. He will do something that makes my mouth drop, but there's so much more to production as a receiver than running a good route."

Crowley acknowledged Johnson had to deal with the team changing starting quarterbacks from Mitchell Trubisky to Kenny Pickett, but he also wasn't afraid to point out some of the flaws. 

Johnson running backwards after making catches was the first of Crawley's pet peeves in his game. He picked on the receiver for not getting his feet in bounds against the New York Jets and possibly playing a part in the Trubisky benching. 

His other issue was with the drops that have followed him his whole career and were on display against the Cleveland Browns in the season finale when he was credited with two per Pro Football Reference.

He's made progress on drop concern which was a real problem for him during the 2020 season when he led the league in the category with 13. He only had five in the next season, but saw the number creep up to seven in 2022. His passer rating for quarterbacks targeting him was the worst it's been in his career at 58.8 and had six interceptions thrown on passes when he was targeted. He'd only had seven before 2022. 

Steelers Possible Ways To Unlock An Elite Johnson In 2023

Johnson admitted it will be nice to have some continuity at the quarterback position in 2023 which is one helper to him returning to the level of play he is capable of. The guys at The Fan had a few other ideas to try to assist Johnson in the coming season that might have to come from Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada.

Fill-in summer host Mark Kaboly of The Athletic suggested maybe with some scheme moves, the team can help Johnson eliminate some of the elements of his game that frustrate so many people. 

"He needs to catch the ball in stride and be able to turn it up field," he said. "This quick throws, bubble screens, whatever you want to call them, I don't think they're suited well for him."   

Kaboly does think that some of the flaws with Johnson do get overexaggerated, but thinks he'd have more success in a role running posts, corners, and go routes.

"We know he can get off the line and create the separation. If you can get him in rhythm across the middle or down the sidelines, that's what he's best at," Kaboly said. "I don't think he's very good at the curls where he has to make the play and puts himself in a situation where he feels like he needs to go backward to go forward. He needs to be going forward."

Kaboly said that a lot of it has to do with play-calling, but the timing of the quarterback is also key. Pickett and Johnson being on the right page and Canada putting him in positions to help himself will define whether the former Pro Bowler can get his game back, let alone raise it to new heights. 

Do you think Johnson needs to be a more downfield receiver? Do you agree he's been hurt by the scheme? Comment below!

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