Steeler fan here.....
I hope Diontae Johnson turns out for you guys, I really do. Looking at this trade, I hope it works out for both teams. Donte Jackson has a shot at being our #2 corner. If that happens, I'm hoping the Steelers pass rush helps him and can cut down the time he has to cover. I think the Panthers had, like, mid-20s in sacks last year. We got 19 from TJ Watt alone. Cam Heyward missed most of the season which hurt the blindside pass rush and I think they ended up with mid-40s. They added Patrick Queen and he is an excellent blitzing linebacker. I'm guessing they climb back into the 50s this year and that pressure should help the corners, specifically Jackson. Add in they beefed up the safety spot and Minkah should be back, Jackson might not have to cover as long.
As for DJ, can't say I am sad to see him go. I wish they had not given him that extension. He might separate and run routes better than any WR in the NFL and that isn't an exaggeration. He is exceptionally quick in and out of his breaks and can work the sidelines really well. But, he drops some easy passes. He isn't physical. I read someone state he fights for footballs...and I haven't seen it. I've watched every game of his career. He doesn't really attack the intermediate and deep areas. He was drafted to be the Antonio Brown replacement and he is under 10 yards, but it is over 10 where AB sliced you up. And, his run after catch? If defenders are closing and you need 2 yards, he is way more likely to run sideways and give ground than he is to nut up and get those yards. It drives fans crazy. He won't run through a tackle. In fact, sometimes he just dives to the ground. Finesse receiver. He will want 120+ targets a season, give you 90+ catches if he gets them, get near 1000 yards. Don't bring in a #1 and feed that guy. We did it with Pickens and he starts pouting. Then, he takes plays off. Won't even try to block. Walks on and off the field. His attitude goes downhill fast.
Hoping that the Panthers and a new team can inject some spark into him and you get 17 good games out of him. Someone mentioned franchise tagging him, do yourself a favor and don't. If he doesn't screw you this year, he will get you soon. I would have swapped him for a partially used box of kitty litter. I've just grown tired of his antics and his on the field play isn't good enough for all the crap you get from him. Again, hope he finds new life and gets his stuff right, but I'm not missing him.
This feels like two teams swapping used cars and both thinking the model they got is a classic and we might have just gotten a pair of Yugos.
