[ad_1]
8 minutes in the past
Editor’s be aware: That is Half 3 of a 12-part sequence breaking down the Pittsburgh Steelers at every place within the offseason. All wage cap info courtesy spotrac.com or overthecap.com:
Because the Pittsburgh Steelers performed the 2016 AFC championship recreation with Cobi Hamilton because the No. 2 receiver and Sammie Coates, Eli Rogers and Darrius Heyward-Bey in reserve, they’ve made a degree to fortify the place within the draft.
Even with Martavis Bryant returning the following yr from suspension, the Steelers used a second-round choose on JuJu Smith-Schuster. The following yr it was James Washington, additionally coming within the second spherical. Then got here Diontae Johnson with a third-round choose in 2019, mitigating the commerce of Antonio Brown. Final yr, Chase Claypool was the chosen receiver when the Steelers, holding no first-round choice, bought a flip within the second spherical.
The end in 2020 was the arguably the deepest crop of younger broad receivers within the NFL.
Though the Steelers didn’t have a 1,000-yard cross catcher for the second yr in a row, they’d three receivers amass not less than 800 yards: Johnson (923), Claypool (873) and Smith-Schuster (831). Solely the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers had a trio of receivers accumulate not less than 800 yards for the season.
The Steelers additionally turned the seventh crew in NFL historical past to have 5 gamers, together with tight finish Eric Ebron, catch 5 or extra landing passes in a season.
The depth the Steelers have accrued on the place may offset the potential lack of Smith-Schuster to free company. In his fourth season, Smith-Schuster caught 97 passes and tied for the crew lead with 9 landing catches. Within the wild-card playoff loss to Cleveland, Smith-Schuster had his finest recreation of the yr, catching 13 balls for 157 yards and a landing.
Given the Steelers’ salary-cap predicament and the amount of cash Smith-Schuster can command on the open market in March as an unrestricted free agent, he isn’t anticipated to be again for a fifth season.
Smith-Schuster’s anticipated departure would go away James Washington as probably the most tenured receiver on the roster. Washington was the odd-man out when the offense flourished midseason with a four-receiver, one-tight finish set, however he completed sturdy and totaled 30 catches for 392 yards and 5 touchdowns.
The Steelers led the NFL with 43 dropped passes in 2020, and Johnson was accountable for 13, tops within the league. That doesn’t rely the cross that hit his palms and went for an interception that helped the Browns ring up a 28-0 lead within the first quarter of the wild-card recreation.
Regardless of his drops, Johnson’s talents to make performs after the catch helped him lead the Steelers with 923 receiving yards, and he completed with 88 receptions and 7 touchdowns.
As a rookie, Claypool ranked fourth amongst his NFL friends with 62 catches and 873 yards, and he led all rookies with 9 landing receptions. He tied the franchise rookie report in landing catches and set the benchmark in receptions.
The one different holdover from the postseason roster is Ray-Ray McCloud, who performed in some four-receiver units whereas additionally dealing with the kickoff and punt return duties. A restricted free agent, McCloud may very well be retained on a low-cost deal and compete for a job as slot receiver.
Offseason outlook: WRs
Returnees
James Washington, 1 yr left on contract, $1,432,247 cap hit for 2021
Diontae Johnson, 2 years left on contract, $1,167,535 cap hit for 2021
Chase Claypool, 3 years left on contract, $1,503,781 cap hit for 2021
Additionally underneath contract
Anthony Johnson, 1 yr left on contract, $660,000 cap hit for 2021
Cody White, 1 yr left on contract, $660,000 cap hit for 2021
Free brokers
JuJu Smith-Schuster, unrestricted, $1,335,020 cap hit in 2020
Ray Ray McCloud, restricted, $750,000 cap hit for 2021
Tomorrow: Tight ends
Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.
Joe Rutter is a Tribune-Assessment employees author. You’ll be able to contact Joe by e mail at jrutter@triblive.com or through Twitter .
Categories:
Sports | Steelers/NFL
[ad_2]
Source link
