He's small, but he's slow, but...

[bbbooger]

He's small, but he's slow, but... he has questionable hands... WTF was THAT!

"Despite a lack of desired size, Johnson might have the ability to play inside or outside thanks to his speed and ability to elude press from his release. He has basketball athleticism, but his routes will need more focus and less freestyle once he steps up in competition. The athleticism and quickness should allow for a wide range of usage on offense but his hands might always be a concern for him. He’s a little small and wasn’t as fast or quick at the combine as expected, so Day 3 in the draft is his likely landing spot as a WR3/WR4 talent."

[dbsfgyd1]

He's small, but he's slow, but... he has questionable hands... WTF was THAT!

"Despite a lack of desired size, Johnson might have the ability to play inside or outside thanks to his speed and ability to elude press from his release. He has basketball athleticism, but his routes will need more focus and less freestyle once he steps up in competition. The athleticism and quickness should allow for a wide range of usage on offense but his hands might always be a concern for him. He’s a little small and wasn’t as fast or quick at the combine as expected, so Day 3 in the draft is his likely landing spot as a WR3/WR4 talent."

So we spent our second pick on a slow return specialist with a great personality.....

[Chucktownsteeler]

At first I downright hated this pick and thought it was more of a stretch pick than even Sanquez Golsen. But then I did a little reading and watched a few You-Tube clips of him and damn this could be a hidden gem.

I read on Steelers Depot the Steelers wanted him bad and thought he could be drafted in the 4th or later but found out BA was going to take him at #70. The Steelers snagged him at #66 and pissed BA off. He's a bit raw but the observations on him are all over the charts. And damn he does look and remind you of a young A-B, also a WR from a small college.

I hated the pick at first but now I am going to keep an open mind and hope for the best. Lastly, most fans despised the Ju-Ju pick as well.

[bbbooger]

Too high... Way too high, the kind of player you take a flyer on in 5 or 6, NOT a high 3!
If BA wants to be stupidly aggressive, let him...! Doesn't mean you need to be even stupider! Way to many highly productive power 5 talent still on the board to make this pick at that point.

[Chucktownsteeler]

Too high... Way too high, the kind of player you take a flyer on in 5 or 6, NOT a high 3!
If BA wants to be stupidly aggressive, let him...! Doesn't mean you need to be even stupider!  Way to many highly productive power 5 talent still on the board to make this pick at that point.

He would only have lasted 4 more picks. This kid could be a hidden gem, AB was also from a small school dioscovered by none other than BA. BA knows WRs. 

See below:

That won’t be necessary for Johnson, who reportedly was fated to go in the early portions of the third round, even though he himself expected to go late in the round or early today. Wide receivers coach [b]Darryl Drake[/b] said he was cursed out by [b]Tampa Bay Buccaneers[/b] Head Coach [b]Bruce Arians[/b] because he was going to take Johnson shortly thereafter.

Recall that the Steelers brought in Drake from the [b]Arizona Cardinals[/b] last season. He served in that role under Arians, so they shared a connection. The Buccaneers ended up trading out of that draft spot after Johnson went off the board.

[Chucktownsteeler]

Diontae Johnson Is The WR Pittsburgh Was Searching For

Sure, Diontae Johnson was a surprise pick. It was perceived to be – by myself included – to be a reach. Maybe that’s not true, Darryl Drake will surely disagree with that assessment, but that’s irrelevant now, isn’t it? Johnson was the pick. So let’s learn about what the Pittsburgh Steelers are getting with him.

While he is a versatile player, and that’s a key point of discussion perhaps for another time, the Steelers are searching for someone to be that X receiver, the spot Antonio Brown held down for so many years. That’s where our focus comes into play today. Can Johnson succeed in that role?
Yes. Yes he can.

He has three traits in his game that’ll let him work in that all-important spot: route running, body control, and big play ability.

Route Running/Separation
Why It Matters: Because it’s the position where you see the most press man coverage. Have to release and win off the line with the ability to create room at the top of the route.

Diontae Johnson’s Tape: Johnson is a strong route runner who glides through his route, understanding the nuance of his route from release, stem, and creating space at the break point.

Watch him at the top of the screen here against Eastern Michigan in 2018. Corner is rolled up at the line of scrimmage, Johnson the X receiver to the backside of the formation. He gets up on the corners toes off the line, getting him to open his hips the wrong way. Johnson crosses his face and by two yards into the route, he’s won. It’s easy from there with the safety buzzing down and biting on the playfake. Johnson makes the catch for a good gain.


Body Control
Why It Matters: Facing man coverage so much, or even in zone with a safety/linebacker working as the overhang defender, most catches will be contested. And quarterbacks will sometimes have to throw you open. That means catching the ball from all angles. Down low, up high, behind, you get the idea. If you can’t do that, your catch radius is too limited to justify the high volume of targets you’ll see.

Diontate Johnson’s Tape: While he doesn’t have a large catch radius, hurt by short arms (30 3/4 inches) and small hands (9 inches), he is able to contort his body and adjust to balls thrown outside his frame. He tracks the ball well and though occasionally shows lapses in concentration, especially in zone coverage underneath where he’s anxious to identify defenders and work upfield, it’s an area he does well in.

Let’s look at the tape. 2017 MAC Championship against Akron (Toledo won before getting blown out in their bowl game vs App State). I like the release here but the corner shows a slight speed turn to remain in-phase. Johnson is covered underneath so his QB has to throw him open, lobbing it over the corner’s head. Johnson finds the ball, times his jumps, and creates the triangle with his hands to cradle the ball and finish the play without having to go to the ground. Great body control start to finish.

Big Play Ability
Why It Matters: Because the X receiver sees one-on-one coverage, he’s always one missed tackle away from an explosive gain or touchdown. Possession receivers need not apply here. Make enough big plays and teams will be forced to bracket the X, opening up the field for the rest of the receivers.

Diontae Johnson’s Tape: Littered with big plays. Capable of taking over games (three touchdowns vs Ball State: 88 yard receiving, 67 yard receiving, 87 yard punt). Plays a little faster than his timed speed (4.53) but with quickness and burst. Comfortable getting the ball quick and making plays in space or acting as a vertical target.

Just going to show one play here though I could add in ten more without breaking a sweat. Looking at that Ball State game I referenced above. Throw high over his head. Johnson tracks it, bats it with one hand, then comes down with the ball. Defender falls down and Johnson is in the clear for an 88 yard gain. Great play.


Read more: https://steelersdepot.com/2019/04/film-r...ching-for/

[Rollers]

now if we could only schedule Ball State

[bbbooger]

now if we could only schedule Ball State

[bbbooger]

Still hate this pick at 3-02... Ugh!

[dbsfgyd1]

now if we could only schedule Ball State

That’s got to be the best the best thing you’ve posted in years. really well played!

[Rollers]

now if we could only schedule Ball State

That’s got to be the best the best thing you’ve posted in years. really well played!

thanks

[Chucktownsteeler]

Zero fumbles during college career.

[bbbooger]

Zero fumbles during college career.

Lots of drops, though...

[Noll and Cowher teams no more]

Holy "F"!! Antonio Brown had a lousy scouting report and we know how that turned out (not saying Johnson is the next AB)
I'm sure James Harrison, Willie Parker and possibly even Hines Ward (as a receiver) scouting reports were less to be desired.

Bunch of Debbie Downers around here.

[dbsfgyd1]

Holy "F"!! Antonio Brown had a lousy scouting report and we know how that turned out (not saying Johnson is the next AB)
I'm sure James Harrison, Willie Parker and possibly even Hines Ward (as a receiver) scouting reports were less to be desired.

Bunch of Debbie Downers around here.

Boy. You catch on quick....you think it’s depressing now, wait until the season starts...lol