Oddsmakers are getting less bullish about the prospects of a big season from Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson.
According to odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook, Johnson is now +3500 to lead the NFL in receiving yards, lengthened from a +2500 listing in the same odds two months ago. Then, Johnson had the 10th-best odds of leading the NFL in receiving this season. He has now fallen into a tie for 16th.
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Johnson should be in line for an increased role in 2022 with the Steelers after the departures of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ray-Ray McCloud and James Washington via free agency. But Johnson is entering the final season of his rookie contract, and with an uncertain future situation, it’s possible that he could miss some or all of the team’s offseason.
Johnson caught 107 passes for 1,161 yards last season, which had him finish 10th in the NFL last season and earned him a Pro Bowl nod. FanDuel currently lists Johnson’s 2022 receiving yards over/under at 950.5, expecting a significant slide backward, and not growth, from the fourth-year receiver. The Steelers uncertainty at the quarterback position could also be playing into the longer odds for Johnson’s success.
Los Angeles Rams slot receiver Cooper Kupp has lost his spot as the favorite to Minnesota Vikings young star Justin Jefferson. Kupp now has +1000 odds, while Jefferson sits at +900. Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase has moved solely into third at +1200.
CeeDee Lamb, Stefan Diggs and Davante Adams (+1400), Travis Kelce (+1600), Mike Evans and Tyreek Hill (+2000) and Deebo Samuel (+3000) remain ahead of Johnson, while Mark Andrews (+2500), who was formerly tied with Johnson, now has shorter odds. Samuel, whose contract situation is still up in the air, has also seen his odds lengthen.
Mike Williams, DJ Moore, Jerry Jeudy and AJ Brown are also at +3000, moving ahead of Johnson. The Steelers receiver is now tied with Keenan Allen, Michael Thomas, Tee Higgins, DK Metcalf and Hunter Renfrow.
Fellow Steelers receivers Chase Claypool and George Pickens (+10,000) are among the long shots, with Pickens narrowing his odds slightly since first being listed.
The last time a Steelers player led the NFL in receiving yards was in 2018, when Antonio Brown paced the league with 1,533 yards.