Diontae Johnson, (WR, PIT) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups

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ANALYSIS: While it was all about James Washington in Week 13, it was Diontae Johnson’s time this past Sunday. The rookie receiver connected with Devlin Hodges from the very first second of the game against Arizona and finished the day with 60 yards and a touchdown on six receptions (eight targets). That marked the fourth game in which Johnson has scored, and the first one since Week 8 in which he has done so.

Johnson had been a little bit on the low lately, with three consecutive games scoring fewer than six fantasy points. That was rather unusual, though, as he put up more than 10 fantasy points in four of his first nine games of the season and scored three touchdowns in that span. The multiple quarterback changes didn’t help, though, and it took time to develop a rapport with Hodges, but it looks like everything is working now. Johnson also ran for 16 yards and most importantly, scored an 85-yard touchdown on top of all that on a punt return this weekend.

With JuJu Smith-Schuster out, Johnson is the Steelers receiver with most snaps played to his name (486 to Washington’s 462) entering Week 14, and he bested Washington again this weekend in yards (60 to 33) and receptions (six to four). There is not a clear no. 1 option in the offense and both of them will keep getting equal opportunities without JSS around.

Johnson is definitely a volatile player. Take that into consideration when adding/playing him. Buffalo doesn’t look like the best matchup next weekend (fifth-best against WRs) but if he keeps his no. 1 or 2 role up for Week 16, then Johnson could turn into a league-winning play for his owners as the Steelers will be facing the Jets and they rank 23rd against the position. If you can afford to add Johnson and wait for news about JuJu, then you should do it and deal with the situation later. Smith-Schuster has missed three games in a row and he might be done for the season (keep and play Johnson then) but if he comes back you should probably only play Johnson at a flex or second-flex spot at most given his boom/bust profile and the stakes you’ll be playing in (fantasy semifinals).