Even without Mr. Big Chest, the Steelers still boast a receiving corps with plenty of potential.
Of course, in many athletic circles, potential is a dirty word, especially if you fail to live up to it.
That wasn't the case with JuJu Smith-Schuster in 2018. Coming off a strong rookie season, Smith-Schuster had the potential to break out in his second season. He did just that, catching a team-high 111 passes for 1,426 yards and seven scores.
But with Antonio Brown gone, the Steelers need someone -- or perhaps several someones -- to fill that void.
They likely can't count on someone to take a JuJu-like leap, but they can expect some improvements. Here's a look at the receivers the Steelers currently have in OTAs.
JuJu Smith-Schuster: Smith-Schuster caught 54 more passes in 2018 than he did in 2017. Did he benefit from Brown getting a lot of double coverage? Sure. But the Steelers also moved him around a lot to help free him up when he started drawing double teams late in the year. A crisp route runner with above average hands, Smith-Schuster isn't a burner by any stretch, but he knows how to get open. The Steelers can continue to scheme things up to get him open against the double teams he's sure to see. And Ben Roethlisberger has a strong trust in the young receiver -- who remains the youngest receiver on the team's roster.
James Washington: When Mike Tomlin or Kevin Colbert were asked this offseason about what they felt about their receiving group, they quickly made mention they expect Washington to take a big step forward in 2019. Does that mean he can see a 54-reception increase like Smith-Schuster had a year ago? That would put him at 70 catches. He has that kind of talent. I'd probably put him slightly under that 70-catch total for the season, but he's talented and motivated. Washington is as earnest as any young player I've been around. He's talented, humble and he wants to be great. That's a good combination.
Donte Moncrief: Big and fast, Moncrief adds a much-needed dimension to the offense. Still just 25, he's got 200 career catches for 2,543 yards and 21 touchdowns in five seasons. And he's better than some seem to think. Moncrief can be a major factor in this offense, especially helping to take pressure off Smith-Schuster. He's a legit 4.4-second 40 guy, making him the fastest of the Steelers receivers assured of a roster spot. But he's also done a lot of good work in the red zone in his career, in part thanks to his size (6-foot-2, 216 pounds). Moncrief has no problem being physical with corners. And that comes into play down close.
Eli Rogers: At 26, Rogers is the elder statesman of this group. Despite that, however, he has appeared in just 30 career games because of foot and knee injuries. He does, however, have a nice rapport with Roethlisberger, having been with the Steelers for five years now. He has a knack for finding the first down marker, with 38 catches for a first down on his 78 career receptions. But he's largely a slot receiver though he has the experience in the offense to slide outside if necessary.
Ryan Switzer: Strictly a slot receiver, Switzer is tough. When you're 5-foot-8, 185 pounds, you'd better be. He's also quickly earned the respect of his teammates, which also helps. They love him. As a return man, he's just so-so, but with Rogers out most of last season, the Steelers needed somebody to do that job because they didn't want to use Brown and Smith-Schuster in those roles. Switzer caught 38 passes last season, but they went for an average of just seven yards per catch and produced 15 first downs. But he was used out of the backfield, at times, as well, giving offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner a chess piece. Switzer and Rogers do many of the same things. Is there room on this roster for both? Perhaps. But that counts largely on the progression of rookie Diontae Johnson.
Diontae Johnson: Though he's listed at 5-foot-10, 183 pounds, Johnson looks bigger than that. In particular, he looks thicker. The first week of OTAs didn't offer him much of a chance to shine, but that will come. His start-stop ability and open-field running are excellent. And he'll get every opportunity to win the return job. Johnson is a precise route runner and those have been the receivers who come into the NFL and have success early.
Tevin Jones: Jones spent last season on the practice squad and has excellent size (6-foot-2, 225 pounds). He flashed in the preseason last year, catching four passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns. He can make plays. Can he make enough to push Switzer or Rogers for a roster spot? Consistency will be the key.
Trey Griffey: Like Jones, Griffey spent the 2018 season on the practice squad. He's not a burner, but he's a smooth strider -- kind of like his father, Ken -- and has good hands. The question for Griffey is if he can get open against NFL corners? Griffey is a possession receiver, as his four catches for 44 yards last preseason might suggest.
Johnny Holton: Holton is still a bit of a mystery. He looks the part at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds. But in 32 career games, he has just 11 catches. And on 17 career touches, he's fumbled four times. That's too much. That hasn't reared its head yet, but he's also got no fear of being hit. He has excellent speed.
Diontae Spencer: A 5-foot-8, 163-pound jitterbug, Spencer projects as another slot receiver. But he's also a legit 4.34-second 40 guy. In three seasons in the CFL, Spencer caught 223 passes for 2,635 yards and 16 touchdowns. Just over 1,000 of those yards came after the catch. He also averaged a solid 11 yards per punt return and scored in each of the past two seasons. It will be an uphill climb for Spencer to make it, but 4.34 speed is intriguing.
