The Pittsburgh Steelers made a bold and significant decision this past offseason by trading away their star wide receiver, Diontae Johnson. In exchange, they got back cornerback Donte Jackson from the Carolina Panthers, a move that generated both excitement and concern among fans and pundits alike. Many were apprehensive about the Steelers' wide receiver depth following Johnson's departure, questioning whether the team could have any sort of offensive potency without him.
Sebastian Foltz / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Donte Jackson working out with the team at OTAs.
As the 2024 season unfolds, however, both the Steelers and their fanbase are feeling a surge of optimism regarding Jackson's performance. Head Coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers’ organization expressed their confidence in Jackson from the outset, emphasizing that he was a player they had targeted for quite some time. While skepticism existed surrounding his acquisition, the results on the field are starting to validate the front office's faith. General Manager Omar Khan and his team are beginning to look like geniuses for orchestrating this trade.
The Steelers have been actively seeking to bolster their secondary, which led to the drafting of promising young cornerback Joey Porter Jr. His impressive play has continued to elevate expectations, and now, with Jackson alongside him, the Steelers appear to have formed a formidable duo of lockdown corners.
Recently, renowned statistician Daniel Valente provided an in-depth analysis of Jackson's performance metrics. His insights highlight just how impactful Jackson has been thus far in the 2024 season, showcasing his ability to disrupt opposing offenses and solidify the Steelers' defensive backfield. As the season progresses, it will be intriguing to see how this trade continues to pay dividends for Pittsburgh and how Jackson evolves within their system.
Quarterbacks have a 35.8 passer rating when targeting Donte Jackson, per PFR.
— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) September 25, 2024
Quarterbacks would have a 39.6 passer rating throwing the ball into the dirt every play.
Jackson has been the CB2 the Steelers have desperately needed.
The concern surrounding the Steelers' decision to trade away Johnson, a reliable route runner and pass catcher, was certainly valid. However, the organization had strong faith in George Pickens stepping into a starring role, and he has risen to the occasion. Pickens continues to improve and make an impact on games, proving to be a dependable number-one receiver who has consistently frustrated defensive backs, thereby benefiting the Steelers' offense.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' George Pickens reaches for a score against the Broncos.
Behind Pickens, the worry about a lack of a true wide receiver two persists. While this concern remains, the impact of Jackson’s arrival has made that trade-off feel worthwhile.
The Steelers recognized that under new Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith, the game plan would shift toward a heavier reliance on the running game and an increased use of tight ends. As such, the immediate need for two star wide receivers diminished in favor of securing a lockdown secondary.
Steelers' Donte Jackson Has Been Tremendous In Pittsburgh
The Steelers have been on the hunt for a dynamic cornerback duo for quite some time, and there’s serious optimism that Jackson and Porter could become the next great pair in Pittsburgh.
Steelers.com
Steelers' Donte Jackson and TJ Watt celebrate a huge play in Week 1.
The excitement surrounding Jackson is palpable; as noted by renowned statistician Valente, opposing quarterbacks would achieve a better quarterback rating if they simply threw the ball into the ground every play rather than targeting Jackson.
This statistic underscores Jackson's remarkable performance thus far. While Johnson remains a talented wide receiver, it appears that Pittsburgh has emerged victorious in the Jackson trade, at least for now.
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