May 11, 2021

Diontae Johnson's WR21 finish in 2020 is the only explanation I have for why his ADP isn't higher. The misleading narrative that Johnson was actually a low end WR2 and not a low end WR1 is creating a tremendous value opportunity this season. Yes, Johnson technically finished as the WR21, but what the final numbers don't tell you is that he left two games early due to injury. If you remove the two games where he played 9% and 24% of the snaps, Johnson averaged 16.9 ppg. That would've put him right around WR10/11 and that includes a full game where he scored just 1.6 points. Johnson was a lot better than many realize last season despite a low average depth of target (just 8.2 yards, 88th in the league), and subpar quarterback play from a very washed looking Ben Roethlisberger. Even though Big Ben is still around and is now a year older, it's hard to envision him being worse. If anything, the extra year removed from his elbow injury should only help. Plus, Johnson proved last season he's the unquestioned WR1 in Pittsburgh. Even though JuJu Smith-Schuster is back, it's very clear that JuJu is the WR3 in this offense. Johnson will start outside alongside Chase Claypool and will lead this team in targets. Roethlisberger let us know loud and clear that Johnson is his top guy, looking his way early and often, even amidst Johnson's bout with a case of the dropsies. Johnson is a WR1 inexplicably available in the fourth or fifth round. Go out of your way to get him.--Jason Katz