Sporting News Ranks Diontae Johnson 28th Best Receiver in NFL

Cale Berger |

Aug 10, 2021

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) trains at Heinz Field during the Steelers 2020 Training Camp, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

The Sporting News has unveiled their rankings of the top 30 wide receivers entering the 2021 season, and has Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Dionte Johnson pegged as the 28th-best in football.

The Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer, like many publications have expressed this offseason, believes Johnson is in for a monster year.

“Johnson, who turned 25 in early July, is primed for a big third NFL season,” Iyer wrote. “He was drafted knowing he profiled like Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders in terms of size and skill set.

While each of Pittsburgh’s wideouts has their own unique role, Iyer believes Johnson is the only one who can do it all.

“While JuJu Smith-Schuster is the slot volume man and Chase Claypool is the heavy home-run hitter, Johnson is Pittsburgh’s most complete receiver when it comes to doing everything needed outside,” Iyer added.

Johnson caught 88 passes for 923 yards, which led the team, and seven touchdowns in 2020, but also led the league in dropped passes.