Coming back down the other side of the mountain with part 46 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 dive into the second team All-Pro sensation:

Diontae Johnson

Position: WR
Height: 5’ 10”
Weight: 183 lbs
College: Toledo
Draft: 3rd round, 66th Overall in 2019

2019 stats

59 Receptions
680 Receiving Yards
5 Touchdowns
4 Rush Attempts
41 yards
20 Punt Returns
248 Return Yards
1 Return touchdown

Contract remaining

Expires in 2022
$972,946 salary cap number (0.48% of total cap)
$283,357 Dead money
$689,589 Savings if cut

Likelihood of making the roster

Lock. Diontae Johnson has potential to become the centrepiece of this offense. The other members of the core four receivers of JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, and Chase Claypool should help Diontae find better matchups and allow him to get open. There is a good chance Johnson leads all Steelers receivers in receptions, yards, and scores, not to mention he’s a second team All-Pro kick returner. So yeah, he’s not going anywhere.

2020 projection

Johnson is going to reap the benefits of a returning Ben Roethlisberger. He already led all rookies in receiving yards in 2019 and he did that with out the future hall of famer at quarterback. Johnson’s clean route running and ability to get open have led to some Antonio Brown or Golden Tate like comparisons. Johnson should put up some serious stats in 2020

Projected stats:

87 Receptions
1,163 Receiving Yards
6 Touchdowns
3 Rush Attempts
38 yards

Summary

Diontae Johnson will hopefully continue his upward ascent into the upper echelon of NFL receivers. He was already arguably the best at his position among rookies a year ago but almost got no credit. Fans from around the league don't realize the impact left by Johnson in year one and it could lead to an explosion out of the gate. Expect Dionte to crack the 1000 yard threshold in 2020.

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
Anthony Johnson