PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Is Diontae Johnson worth it?
Reports are the Steelers receiver is looking for a contract more in line with those who have similar numbers. He is scheduled to make $2.7 million in the final year of his rookie deal. Here are Johnson's numbers through his three NFL seasons.
Diontae Johnson
Rookie Year (2019)—92 targets, 59 receptions, 64% catch, 680 yards, 11.5 avg, 5 TD, 42.5 yards per game
2020—144 targets, 88 receptions, 61% catch, 923 yards, 10.5 avg, 7 TD, 61.5 yards per game
2021—169 targets, 107 receptions, 63% catch, 1161 yards, 10.9 avg, 8 TD, 72.6 yards per game
TOTAL-63% catch, 2764 yards, 10.9 avg, 20 TD, 58.8 yards per game
Three of the other stars from the same draft class are looking for more money as well. Here is a look at the numbers of those who came out the same year as Johnson and are also having early success.
AJ Brown-Tennessee
Rookie Year—84 targets, 52 receptions, 62% catch, 1051 yards, 20.2 avg, 8 TD, 65.7 yards per game
2020—106 targets, 70 receptions, 66% catch, 1075 yards, 15.4 avg, 11 TD, 76.8 yards per game
2021—105 targets, 63 receptions, 60% catch, 869 yards, 13.8 avg, 5 TD, 66.8 yards per game
TOTAL-63% catch, 2995 yards, 16.2 avg, 24 TD, 69.7 yards per game
Terry McLaurin-Washington
Rookie Year—93 targets, 58 receptions, 62% catch, 919 yards, 15.8 avg, 7 TD, 65.6 yards per game
2020—134 targets, 87 receptions, 65% catch, 1118 yards, 12.9 avg, 4 TD, 74.5 yards per game
2021—130 targets, 77 receptions, 62% catch, 1053 yards, 13.7 avg, 5 TD, 61.9 yards per game
TOTAL-62% catch, 3090 yards. 13.9 avg, 16 TD, 67.2 years per game
Deebo Samuel-San Francisco
Rookie Year—81 targets, 57 receptions, 70% catch, 802 yards, 14.1 avg, 3 TD, 53.5 yards per game
2020—44 targets, 33 receptions, 75% catch, 391 yards, 11.8 avg, TD, 55.9 yards per game
2021—121 targets, 77 receptions, 64% catch, 1405 yards, 18.2 avg, 6 TD, 87.8 yards per game
TOTAL—68% catch, 2598 yards, 15.6 avg, 10 TD. 68.4 yards per game
Looking at those numbers, how do you believe Johnson compares? Here is a look at Johnson against three of the receivers right around $18 million where it would appear Johnson would fit based on other contracts. The comparison again is with their first three seasons to show their stats through a comparable time frame.
Christian Kirk-Jacksonville Jaguars
Rookie Year (2018)—68 targets, 43 receptions, 63% catch, 590 yards, 13.7 avg, 3 TD, 49.2 yards per game
2019—108 targets, 68 receptions, 63% catch, 709 yards, 10.4 avg, 3 TD, 54.5 yards per game
2020—79 targets, 48 receptions, 61% catch, 621 yards, 12.9 avg, 6 TD, 44.4 yards per game
Kenny Golladay-New York Giants
Rookie Year (2017)—48 targets, 28 receptions, 58% catch, 477 yards, 17 avg, 3 TD, 43.4 yards per game
2018—119 targets, 70 receptions, 59% catch, 1063 yards, 15.2 avg, 5 TD, 70.9 yards per game
2019—116 targets, 65 receptions, 56% catch, 1190 yards, 18.3 avg, 11 TD, 74.4 yards per game
Tyler Lockett-Seattle Seahawks
Rookie year (2015)—69 targets, 51 receptions, 74% catch, 664 yards, 13 avg, 6 TD, 41.5 yards per game
2016—66 targets, 41 receptions, 62% catch, 597 yards, 14.6 avg, TD, 39.8 yards per game
2017—71 targets, 45 receptions, 63% catch, 555 yards, 12.3 avg, 2 TD, 34.7 yards per game
Here is even a comparison to the two best Steelers receivers of his lifetime and their first three seasons in the NFL.
Antonio Brown
Rookie Year (2010)—19 targets, 16 receptions, 84% catch, 167 yards, 10.4 avg, 0 TD, 18.8 yards per game
2011—124 targets, 69 receptions, 55% catch, 1108 yds, 16.1 avg, 2 TD, 69.3 yards per game
2012—106 targets, 66 receptions, 62% catch, 787 yards, 11.9 avg, 5 TD, 60.5 yards per game
Hines Ward
Rookie Year (1998)—33 targets, 15 receptions, 45% catch, 246 yards, 16.4 avg, 0 TD, 15.4 yards per game
1999—101 targets, 61 receptions, 60% catch, 638 yards, 10.5 avg, 7 TD, 39.9 yards per game
2000—83 targets, 48 receptions, 59% catch, 672 yards, 14.0 avg, 4 TD, 42 yards per game
This isn't meant to draw a conclusion, here are the facts on these players after three NFL seasons.
Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Whether Johnson will get a new contract is as unknown right now as the next Steelers general manager. Johnson has a reputation for drops, he was benched in 2020 due to a series of them against the Bills. Last season he sought to change that. The 25-year-old was almost always the first player on the practice field and one of the last to leave. He came up with drills he did with an equipment manager to attempt to improve before and after team work.
No teammate has said a bad word about him. He's never embarrassed the organization with social media or off field issues.
Is Diontae Johnson worth it? Here is some information for you to decide.
