“Predicting the 53” is a series we will continue throughout the offseason where we predict which 53 players will make up the Pittsburgh Steelers final roster. This post will focus on the Steelers wide receivers, a promising young group with a lot of potential. Throw in the return of Ben Roethlisberger, and it makes sense why Pittsburgh’s offense is expected to be much better than last year. The receiving corps has a little bit of everything: size, speed, route running, physicality, and YAC ability.
Predicting the Pittsburgh Steelers Wide Receivers
The Locks
There are four current Steelers wide receivers who will be on the 53 man roster in 2020 with 100% certainty. The first roster lock is JuJu Smith-Schuster. A fan favorite, Smith-Schuster will be looking to bounce back from a down year and prove that he can be a number one receiver. He definitely won’t be lacking motivation; Smith-Schuster is entering a contract year and has taken criticism from Pittsburgh media members and fans. Based on social media posts, it’s clear he has been putting in the work this offseason to show that he is capable of being a number one receiver. Roethlisberger loved throwing to Smith-Schuster in 2018, and look for that connection to continue this year.
James Washington and Diontae Johnson are two more receivers who will have a spot on the roster. Johnson really emerged as a star in the making during his rookie campaign in 2019. He was Pittsburgh’s most productive wide receiver and made the All-Pro team as a punt returner. Johnson has elite route running abilities and is a nightmare to tackle in open space. If he can improve his ball security, then Johnson could be in for a big 2020. Washington is probably the Steelers best deep ball receiver and had a solid second half of 2019. Entering his third year, Washington will look to build on the chemistry he established during his rookie year with Roethlisberger. If those two can get their connection going again, Washington could be a sleeper pick for a breakout 2020 season.
Finally, we turn to Pittsburgh’s second round draft pick Chase Claypool. The rookie brings two much-needed additions to the wide receiver room: size and speed. He stands over 6’4″ and ran in the mid 4.4s at the combine. Claypool is versatile and can play outside or in the slot. Like Smith-Schuster, Claypool takes pride in his blocking and is the prototypical Steelers wide receiver with his physicality. Two areas that Claypool will contribute most as a rookie are on special teams and in the red zone. Roethlisberger will love throwing to a guy with the physical tools and versatile abilities of Claypool.
The Bubble
There are several Steelers wide receivers competing for what is expected to be two more spots behind the four locks. The general consensus is that it will be two of the following three players: Ryan Switzer, Deon Cain, and Saeed Blacknall. Each player has an argument to make for a roster spot. First off, there is Switzer. He came into Pittsburgh and was moderately successful in the Swiss army knife role in 2018. Fans really started to like him and his stock was trending in the right direction entering 2019. Then, he had a terrible year. He made no splash plays in the return game and couldn’t break a tackle so save his life. Switzer is the kind of receiver who needs to get the ball in space, but last year he did absolutely nothing in the open field. Perhaps the biggest advantage Switzer has going for him is a strong relationship with Roethlisberger.
After starting his season with the Indianapolis Colts, Deon Cain ended up in Pittsburgh in the middle of the 2019 season. Inserting a young player into an offense during the season is never an easy task. Add in the circumstances with Pittsburgh’s quarterback play and it’s a wonder Cain was able to contribute in any meaningful way. On just six targets, though, Cain was able to make an impact. He is a bigger-bodied receiver who thrives in the deep ball, combated catch scenarios. If he is able to build rapport with Roethlisberger, Cain will be able to contribute in a limited fashion in 2020 and is a strong fifth wide receiver.
Saeed Blacknall was signed as a free agent after starting his professional football career in the XFL. A Penn State product, Blacknall finished his college career with an eye catching 19.6 yards per reception. He’s a big receiver at 6’2″, 208 pounds and runs a 4.39 40-yard dash. Take a quick look at his XFL tape and you’ll see that Blacknall offers serious big play potential. In an offense that really lacked explosive plays last season, Blacknall’s presence might be welcomed with open arms.
The Selections
Starters: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, James Washington
Depth/special teams: Chase Claypool, Deon Cain, Saeed Blacknall
Missed the cut: Ryan Switzer, Anthony Johnson, Amara Darboh, Quadree Henderson,
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
