The Steelers may have one of the more underrated rosters in the NFL. Veteran CB Patrick Peterson knows it and says he believes the team has multiple big-play threats.
“What’s gonna be crazy is when we see Pat [Freiermuth], when we see Diontae [Johnson], when we got doggone [George Pickens], then we got Najee [Harris],” Peterson said on his “All Things Covered” podcast with Bryant McFadden. “That’s like, five home run hitters … guys that you need to account for.”
Freiermuth, who is heading into his third season, was a security blanket for QB Kenny Pickett last year and has 123 catches for 1,229 yards and nine touchdowns in his career thus far.
Johnson is a catch machine, totaling 340 receptions for 3,646 yards and 20 touchdowns in his four-year career. He didn’t find the end zone in 2022, but his unlucky streak will surely end in 2023.
Pickens may just have the highest ceiling of the bunch, posting 52 catches for 801 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie. He could turn out to be the biggest home run hitter of the group if he reaches the expectations that many have for him.
Harris, Pittsburgh’s 2021 first-round pick, has quietly put together two solid years after receiving some criticism. He has 2,930 yards all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns over the span and can become the first running back in nearly a decade to rush for 1,000+ yards in his first three seasons.
Peterson only named four players, but he’s likely accounting for recently acquired WR Allen Robinson II, who seems to be in line to start along with the others.
Robinson II is coming off a down year with the Rams but has proven to be a reliable target throughout his career. He has posted at least 55 catches for 750+ yards in five of his nine years in the league.
“When defenses see that, they’re gonna have to pick their poison,” Peterson added. “Having an opportunity to go up against those guys, go up against our offense over the last month, it’s gonna be quite the show to watch. I just pray and hope that everybody can stay healthy.”
The Steelers certainly look scary on paper, but they must put it together on the field. If they can, Pittsburgh may just be a dark horse contender in 2023.
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