G.Stryker
SteelerNation.com
This is my projected depth chart:
(Players on the top line are projected to make the roster)
LWR (X) Antonio Brown, Damoun Patterson,
Darrius Heyward-Bey, Marcus Tucker
SWR (Y) JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marcus Tucker,
Justin Hunter, Jaylen Samuels, Quadree Henderson, Justin Thomas
RWR (Z) Justin Hunter, James Washington,
Tevin Jones, Trey Griffey
PUP: Eli Rogers (ACL Injury)
Receivers lost: Martavis Bryant (Traded to Raiders), Sammie Coates (Traded to Browns)
I’ve placed the deep ball receivers with size on the Right (Z), more polished route running receivers on the Left (X), and slot guys are in the Middle (Y). I project the Steelers to keep 6 WRs this year, as they did last year.
X) Antonio Brown lost about a week nursing a hip injury. He’s back practicing fully and is still undefendable. Damoun Patterson took a big leap in Thursday’s game, and came down with the football. An exceptional showing of crisp route running, concentration, and hand placement, completed a highlight reel TD, that looked like it could have been AB, if you squinted a bit. The backflip was a nice touch as well. Heyward-Bey is losing special teams snaps, and the younger receivers are showing better hand placement. His job is no longer certain. Marcus Tucker’s poorly timed ankle injury has given Patterson time to shine. He has to work to make up the ground he lost.
Y) JuJu showing he can still go up and get the football, then turn it into a 71yd TD. Great to see him not losing a step this season. Marcus Tucker, started with the first team between JuJu and AB in practice, and is still running solid routes and making tight, quick catches. Since everyone is getting snaps in the slot (Washington, Hunter, Samuels) it makes it very difficult for Henderson or Thomas to earn a spot there.
Z) The gap between Justin Hunter and James Washington is closing and they are nearly even. Each practice, Washington is jumping up and highpointing contested footballs over the top of cornerbacks. Washington is also showing some position flexibility, playing some slot receiver. Three more weeks to see who will emerge as the week 1 starter! Jones and Griffey are doing well, but it is tough to crack the depth chart with those 2 in front of you.
The receivers are starting to separate themselves. Washington and Patterson are improving. It will be fun to see if they can continue to wow on Thursday night in Green Bay.
