Steelers Daily News & Links: Mike Williams Shines in One Key Area; Big Ben Thinks Ravens Are Dangerous

Chris Ward |

Updated: Nov 6, 2024

Steelers Robert Morris Brett Keisel Ben Roethlisberger — Pittsburgh Steelers legends Ben Roethlisberger and Brett Keisel drop the puck on the 2024-25 season of Robert Morris college hockey. -- Brian Mitchell / Pittsburgh Hockey Digest

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? Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger thinks Diontae Johnson makes the Baltimore Ravens even more dangerous.

“I think you’ll start seeing a lot more of him,” Roethlisberger said on his Footbahlin podcast. “It’s probably a smart move for him. He was with the Panthers, who obviously, things weren’t going well down there. And you instantly go from one of the worst teams in the league to one of the best, to a contender. And so I think it’s a good move for Diontae. I think it makes them even more dangerous. I think they have two MVP candidates on offense, and you’re just adding another guy that can stretch the field, that can do some things — another weapon for Lamar. So I just think that it makes them that much more dangerous of a team.”

? Ben Roethlisberger is not ready yet to put the Steelers in the same category as the Ravens and Buffalo Bills.

“Yeah, they’re right in that mix; I just can’t put the Steelers in the same category as Baltimore or the Bills yet,” Roethlisberger said. “They need to go out in this next stretch of games where they have Washington coming in, and then I think it’s Baltimore. But they have a stretch, where if they go out and show they can beat these teams, these true contenders, I think Washington is a contender. I think Jayden Daniels is playing really good. If they can go show that they belong, then I’ll move them up on my list.”

? On contested targets since 2018, Mike Williams has the third-highest receiving grade (94.1), ranks second in receptions (91) and second in receiving yards (1,495), according to Pro Football Focus.

Mike Williams on contested targets since 2018:

🔸 94.1 receiving grade (3rd)
🔸 91 receptions (2nd)
🔸 1,495 receiving yards (2nd)

Your newest Pittsburgh Steeler 🙌 https://t.co/xPHU0YHCYM pic.twitter.com/Z9RXTJDdf8

— PFF PIT Steelers (@PFF_Steelers) November 5, 2024

? Preston Smith, who ranks 13th in sacks and 14th in QB Hits since getting to the league, is joining forces with T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Cam Heyward. The Steelers are absolutely loaded at outside linebacker and on the defensive front.

? Since 2021, Preston Smith has recorded 28.0 sacks, 158 pressures and 58 run stops, according to Pro Football Focus.

? Former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky praised the addition of Mike Williams to the Steelers.

“I think it’s huge. I really do. I’m not trying to say that Mike Williams is 2020 Mike Williams, but Mike Williams is still a good player,” Orlovsky said on Sportscenter. “He’s still making contested catches. There’s not going to be a ton of separation. Russell Wilson doesn’t care about that. Think about how much you can play the game between him and George Pickens. How much then can you play the game with him, George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, or your run game.

“If you give Mike one deep ball shot a quarter, whether you hit it or not, the butterfly effect on your football team is massive. Defenses then have to constantly pay attention to it. The fear of that big explosive play transforming or changing the game. The threat of ‘If we don’t favor to that side then that’s going to be one-on-one.’ It makes it easier and creates more space for everyone else on that offense. This is a big deal, big, big deal for Pittsburgh when it comes to Mike Williams.”

? Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson visited UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Wilson has visited Children’s Hospital every Tuesday during the season.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalms 147:3

A special and beautiful day @ChildrensPgh @WhyNotYouFdn pic.twitter.com/DFHLE55vms

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) November 6, 2024