We are at the midway point of our 90-part series — assuming the roster does not change before we are complete — which will break down each player of the Steelers current 90-man roster in alphabetical order. This series will encompass many aspects of each players game and their current role with the team. At the end, I’ll give some projected stats as well as their chances to make the 53-man roster.

Let’s take a look at former Charger and Buccaneer

Anthony Johnson

Position: WR
Height: 6’ 2”
Weight: 220 lbs
College: Buffalo
Draft: UDFA in 2019 (Buccaneers)

2019 stats

N/A —Practice squad

Contract remaining

Expires in 2022
$610,000 salary cap number (0.3% of total cap)
$0 Dead money
$610,000 Savings if cut

Likelihood of making the roster

Almost none. I feel for players like Anthony Johnson, with the NFL’s COVID-19 plan it appears likely that teams will only bring 75 players (or less) instead of the usual 90 to training camp. The hit comes hardest to spots that already have a ton of depth, and receiver is one of those positions.

The core four of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, James Washington, and Chase Claypool sit atop the depth chart. Deon Cain and Ryan Switzer will battle it out for spots 5 & 6 and XFL standout Saeed Blacknall probably holds onto that seventh spot, if there's a need for it. Johnson might not even get the invite to regular camp, but if he does he’ll be fighting tooth and limb to earn a spot on the practice roster.

2020 projection

Johnson either starts camp on the roster or isn't but gets signed back on if another player faulters. The entire bottom 20 players on the roster will be brought in and sent out quicker than ever before. As team will still want to find their perfect roster despite not bringing everyone to camp.

Johnson probably doesn't make this team.

Projected stats:

N/A —Practice squad or cut

Summary

Anthony Johnson is a big bodied receiver that joined the team in January. Outside factors may prevent Johnson from even getting an opportunity to try out. This is going to be the reality for dozens of NFL players, lets just hope they get another shot in 2021.

Previously Highlighted

Ola Adeniyi
Marcus Allen
Tyson Alualu
Trajan Bandy
Zach Banner
J.T. Barrett
John Battle
Jordan Berry
Saeed Blacknall
Breon Borders
Chris Boswell
Antoine Brooks Jr.
Isaiah Buggs
Devin Bush
Deon Cain
Kam Canaday
Chase Claypool
Josiah Coatney
James Conner
Anthony Coyle
Jordan Dangerfield
Amara Darboh
Carlos Davis
David DeCastro
Christian DiLauro
Kevin Dotson
Bud Dupree
Eric Ebron
Terrell Edmunds
Trey Edmunds
Matt Feiler
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Zach Gentry
Ulysees Gilbert III
Derwin Gray
Joe Haden
J.C. Hassenauer
Quadree Henderson
Dewayne Hendrix
Cam Heyward
Alex Highsmith
Mike Hilton
Devlin Hodges
John Houston