Predicting An Explosive 2022 For Steelers WR Diontae Johnson As He Potentially Enters A Contract Year

Last year was a big year for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Diontae Johnson. He had career bests across the board and was the main proponent that kept the passing game going.

He was, now retired, Ben Roethlisberger’s favorite target. To be exact, he was targeted 169 times, 48 more times than the next highest target, Chase Claypool. He turned those targets into 107 catches for 1,161 yards and 8 touchdowns last season. He was also voted to his first Pro Bowl as an alternate. Some of his best plays from the 2021 season can be seen below:

No doubt Johnson had an amazing season, but how does he respond? He is in a very different situation heading into his fourth season, also his contract season. Roethlisberger is no longer with the team after 18 remarkable seasons. Johnson is now paired with free agent signing, Mitch Trubisky, and potentially 2022 first round draft pick, Kenny Pickett, if Trubisky doesn’t work out.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Diontae Johnson (#18), catches a pass during pregame warmups against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season. | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO

HOW WILL STEELERS' JOHNSON PLAY WITH A NEW QB?

I believe it will definitely be an adjustment for the young receiver, but he’s shown he can play with whoever is under center. His rookie year, he excelled with both Mason Rudolph and Devlin “Duck” Hodges when Roethlisberger went down with a season-ending elbow injury in Week 2 of the 2019 season. With that being said, let’s weigh out the positives and negatives.

THE NEGATIVES

Let’s get it out of the way. No matter the criticisms against Roethlisberger the last few years, he is still a first ballot Hall of Fame quarterback. He certainly changed his game, but he still was effective and led the Steelers to the playoffs the last two seasons. Johnson was his favorite target, and found him all over the field. He did struggle getting the ball down the field to Johnson, but when they did connect, it was always a thing of beauty. Roethlisberger also led the NFL in 4th quarter comeback drives this past season.

THE POSITIVES

Johnson finds himself in an offense that was held back by some of Roethlisberger’s limitations, as well as a makeshift offensive line that struggled mightily in both pass and run protection. He now has a more mobile quarterback in Trubisky, and an upgraded offensive line thanks to free agency. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada will be free to open up the field more and get into the system he was always famous for in his college schemes. Johnson should be more open over the middle field as the RPO and play-action game should be much more effective. He may find himself open for more downfield opportunities as well, and show his skills off in a year where he could earn himself a huge contract, especially in this new booming receiver market.

Trubisky has a big arm, and Johnson has shown he can make all the catches. If they can get on the same page, we could see another career year for Johnson.

FINAL PREDICTION

Call me an optimist, but I believe Johnson is indeed in for a big year. I don’t foresee his catch amount rising as it is already high, but his yards per catch I believe will see an uptick. He averaged 10.9 last year.

My final prediction for Johnson’s 2022 stat line is as follows:

105 catches. 1,287 yards. 10 touchdowns.

I believe this is achievable in an offense that will thrive on a bolstered run game and Canada being able to call the offense he was unable to in 2021, for better or worse. I think the Steelers offense will see improvements in all areas. It will heavily come down to quarterback play, but Johnson has shown he can produce no matter who is under center.

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