Steelers' Diontae Johnson Receives Absolutely Massive Disrespect From Wide Receiver Data Analyst

Arguably the most disappointing player for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2022 season was wide receiver, Diontae Johnson. Johnson was the Steelers' most targeted player on the team, but did not play like it. With 147 targets, he would only have 882 receiving yards which was his worst season for that since his rookie year in 2019. What made Johnson's 2022 season even worse is the fact that he did not score a single touchdown. It even looked as the season progressed that quarterback Kenny Pickett was slowly transitioning into having George Pickens as his number-one guy. This will leave for great competition going into the 2023 training camp.

Someone On The Steelers Who Has Taken A Ton Of Criticism

During his career, Johnson has become a player that has had some flaws. He struggled with drops, especially during 2020. Johnson also has struggled with yards after the catch, where sometimes when he has the ball in his hands, he looks to almost run backward instead of going forward and fighting for the extra yards. This was something that JuJu Smith-Schuster did fairly well when he was with the Steelers.

Over the years, Johnson has been someone on the Steelers who has taken a ton of criticism and going into the 2023 season is no different. Recently, Matt Harmon of Yahoo Sports and host of ReceptitionPerception methodology for wide receiver evaluation went and called out Johnson for some of his mistakes. 

"Diontae Johnson is not an elite player. He is actually a pretty flawed player in some ways." Harmon would then say, "He is pretty high on the bone-headed play scale." 

This isn't the first time that Johnson has been called out, this hasn't even been the first time this year. In February, former Steelers scout and Buffalo Bills General Manager Doug Whaley questioned his effort. 

"His lack of consistency is what holds him back, not only with hands, but with effort and route running. When he is focused and on point, he is a top 10-12 wide receiver in the league."

Even former Steelers safety Ryan Clark threw shade at Johnson during a 38-3 loss against the Buffalo Bills during the 2022 season. This was after Clark and Johnson had already been throwing comments to each other back and forth. At the time, this was not the first instance of people attacking Johnson for how poorly he had played.

"What shouldn't be irrelevant is the way that game looked on Sunday. What shouldn't be irrelevant is dropping footballs, doing your dang job, and helping your team score more than three points."

Although he has struggled in the past, you have to give credit where credit is due. Johnson has all the potential in the world to be an elite receiver in the league. Especially when it comes to his route running, he may be one of the best. Harmon would attest to this even after he would criticize him.

"With all that being said, you can absolutely use the word elite when you are talking about his route running." Harmon then stated, "He is not just winning on little bunny hop routes."

Harmon also would say that he thinks that Johnson is one of the more underrated players in the league, but what it comes down to is how Johnson will play this season. It almost feels like it is a make-or-break year for him. Johnson will have to go and take a step up and become a good player in the league, or he will take a step back and become just another mediocre receiver.

"He's not one of the best receivers in the NFL or anything, but he is certainly what I think is, a really underrated player - who is a true number one and can win at all three levels of the field."

So, what do you think, Steeler Nation? Will Johnson finally take a step up and become an elite receiver in the league? Let me know in the comments below!

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