Pittsburgh Steelers: Rookie grades for 2019 season
By Samuel Teets
Round 3
The Steelers can draft wide receivers. If there are two positions this organization loves, it’s receiver and linebacker. While the team tends to whiff now and then at linebacker (ex. Jarvis Jones), the Steelers are unparalleled at drafting impact wide receivers.
As a sophomore at Toledo, Johnson exploded for 1,278 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns in 14 games. However, Johnson’s production fell off a cliff in 2018 when the team struggled to replace Logan Woodside. The dip in production didn’t scare off the Steelers. Pittsburgh made Johnson the tenth wide receiver taken in the 2019 draft, trailing Seattle taking D.K. Metcalf by two picks.
Johnson entered Pittsburgh’s starting lineup in Week 3. Alongside second-year receiver, James Washington, and third-year receiver, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Johnson thrived. His 59 receptions led all rookies. Johnson’s five receiving touchdowns finished fourth among rookies, and his 680 receiving yards finished sixth.
Pittsburgh also utilized Johnson as a punt returner. The speedy rookie returned 20 punts for 248 yards and one touchdown. His 12.4 yards per punt return led the NFL, and the Associated Press selected Johnson as a Second-Team All-Pro punt returner.
Justin Layne: D
Everyone knew Layne played a raw style of football and need a lot of refinement when the Steelers took him with the 83rd overall pick. However, fans hoped to see him play at least a few defensive snaps in 2019. After a disappointing preseason, Pittsburgh’s coaches never let Layne play a defensive snap during his rookie season.
The Michigan State product can play physically and offers some help in the run game, but those are traits the Steelers don’t particularly need right now. The team needs shutdown corners. For now, Layne doesn’t fit anywhere outside of special teams.