By: Jonathan Clark
SteelerNation.com
Ryan Switzer is a name that most fans around the NFL might not be too familiar with. Switzer was a fourth round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Standing at 5’8" and weighing in at 182 pounds, it was clear that Switzer was the type of receiver that is built to play the slot position. We have seen “smaller” guys exceed in that position throughout the years, and the comparisons followed. Coming out of college, many scouts looked at Switzer as a Wes Welker type of player. Besides the obvious size comparison, scouts believed that Switzer carried the same traits that Welker brought to the table during his successful career, having natural born speed and able to play the slot position tough, not being afraid to take a hit or two across the middle of the field.
While with Dallas, Switzer was looked at as more of a returner type of player -- and was successful at doing so. He returned 29 punts for 256 yards and scored on an 80-yard punt return touchdown against the then Washington Redskins (now known as the Washington Football Team), making the 2017 All-Rookie Team for doing so. That part of his game, he has obviously proven to be good at, but Switzer has struggled to find the field as a receiver consistently in the NFL.
After the 2017 season, Dallas traded Switzer to the Oakland Raiders, who just four months after acquiring the WR, traded him once again to the best team in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers. When the trade went down, many believed that Switzer was brought in to just be the new return man, which was partially the case. In 16 full games with Pittsburgh, he returned 30 punts for 250 yards, mimicking his 2017 numbers. What most forget is that Switzer appeared in many situations as our slot receiver that year. He was targeted 44 times, catching 36 passes for 253 yards and a touchdown. Now do those numbers jump out at you? No, but what they do tell you is that Switzer earned playing time in his first season with the team, and produced when he got the opportunity. Something that he hoped would carry into the 2019 campaign.
Unfortunately, Switzer’s season was cut short after just nine games due to a nagging back injury suffered during a win at Heinz Field against the Los Angeles Rams. An injury that forced Switzer to be put on Injured Reserve, ending his 2019 season. Due to this, and the emergence of our young WR core, many may have written off Switzer, saying his chances of making the 53-man roster are becoming slim, but are we wrong in doing so?
The answer to that question probably varies from person to person, and rightfully so. But if you ask Switzer, he might convince you otherwise.
This past week, Switzer made the NFL headlines by saying that he believes that he will end up being one of the top slot receivers in the NFL this season. Comparing himself to the likes of Julian Edleman and Jamison Crowder, and I love every minute of it. No one has been talking about Switzer this off-season and expectations were what they were for him. He could have left it that way, and gone into the 2020 season quietly, but he didn’t. What this shows to me is that Switzer is putting pressure on himself. He is putting these high expectations on himself knowing the cost. He is all in, banking on himself and his work this upcoming year. How can you not get behind a guy like that? And clearly, Switzer is walking the walk.
Switzer is all in on himself in 2020. The comments were made and now it’s time to produce. While many may struggle to find where he fits in this offense due to the weapons we already have at that position, Switzer is doing his part in making sure that he puts on the black and gold this upcoming year. Something that we Steeler fans can get behind. He is a young WR with only two full years of NFL experience. He has produced when on the field and it has been noted that him and Ben Roethlisberger have a good relationship outside of football that we can only hope will translate into success for all of #SteelerNation!
Do you think Switzer is due for a good year? Comment below!
