All 90 is a Pittsburgh Steelers Now series profiling each of the 90 members of the Steelers 2021 offseason roster.
18 • Diontae Johnson, third-year wide receiver
5-foot-10, 183 pounds
Acquired: Drafted by the Steelers with the No. 66 overall pick in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Last season: Johnson started 13 games for the Steelers in his second pro season and led the team in receiving yards with 923. Johnson grabbed 88 balls for a 10.5 yards per catch average and scored seven touchdowns, good third on the team.
While productive overall, Johnson had some drop issues crop up, with his 13 drops (per Pro Football Reference) not only leading the team, but as many as the next two receivers combined.
Career: Johnson burst on the scene with a strong rookie season in 2019, catching 59 passes for 680 yards and five touchdowns despite a mixed-up quarterback situation that depressed the Steelers’ passing game overall.
College: A two-year starter and two-time All-MAC selection as wide receiver and kicker returner for Toledo, Johnson had a school-record 1,278-yard, 13-touchdown redshirt sophomore season in 2017.
He returned for his redshirt junior year in 2018 to add another 761 yards and eight scores, plus two return touchdowns.
Camp outlook: Johnson is firmly in the Steelers top four group of wide receivers, but how, where and how often new offensive coordinator Matt Canada will deploy that group will be one of the most noteworthy storylines of training camp.
Johnson spent 86% of his snaps in 2020 as an outside receiver, but with presumptive No. 1 JuJu Smith-Schuster saying he wants to play outside more, Johnson could be a candidate to slide into the slot more often.
Future: Johnson’s rookie contract runs through the end of the 2022 season, after which, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent.
The rest of the 90:
