2023 NFL Futures: Diontae Johnson Poised For Huge Bounce Back
Why Pittsburgh's No. 1 wideout should have a major bounce back season'
By Dan Karpuc – Jul 23, 2023, 3:42pm Diontae Johnson, No. 1 wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is an enticing option for bettors looking to place a wager on the NFL leader in total receptions. With odds set at +6000 on FanDuel, that outcome may seem like a long shot, but a closer look at Johnson's skills, situation, and potential reveals that this bet is a smart choice. Consistent Performance and Bounce Back Potential Despite a frustrating NFL record of 86 catches in the 2022 season without scoring a single touchdown, Johnson has consistently proven himself as a reliable target for his team. In the 2021 season, he recorded an impressive 107 catches for 1,161 yards, ranking 6th in the NFL in receptions. This past season's lack of touchdowns seems like an anomaly rather than a pattern, making it highly likely that Johnson will bounce back and de liver a more productive year. One thing is for certain: he's going to get plenty of opportunities once again. “We're going to get him the ball. He's going to do his thing,” quarterback Kenny Pickett said on the “Not Just Football with Cam Heyward” podcast. “I'm excited for him to have a big year. He's going to have a bounce back year.”' High-Quality Route Runner One of Johnson's greatest assets is his elite route-running ability. Many consider him to be among the best route runners in the NFL, enabling him to create separation from defenders and position himself favorably to receive passes. His 85th percentile success against man coverage, 88th percentile rate against zone, and 84th percentile rate against press coverage demonstrate his versatility and effectiven ess against various defensive schemes. For context, he ran 47.7% of his routes against man coverage and had a success rate of 76.1% last season. He saw zone coverage in 52.3% of his routes and had a success rate 83.7% and overall, he saw press coverage 27.4% of the time with a success rate 77.9%. That's elite across the board. And makes him extremely hard for opposing defenses to contain.'
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