Steelers WR Diontae Johnson picked as most likely first time Pro Bowler

The Pittsburgh Steelers have an interesting group of young players, any one of them could find their way to the Pro Bowl this season. NFL Network writer Marc Sessler picked one first-time Pro Bowler for every team and for the Steelers, he went with wide receiver Diontae Johnson.

Here’s what Sessler had to say about Johnson:

Questions hover around Pittsburgh’s offense. The line looks iffy, and it’s unclear what’s left of Ben Roethlisberger. The Browns fan in me tends to believe the following: The Steelers will figure it out. They always do. Besides, only a fool would ignore the weaponry. Electric wideout Chase Claypool and rookie runner Najee Harris are spicy Pro Bowl possibilities. I’m banking on Johnson, though, to reduce his frustrating drops and lean on his next-level ability to get open downfield. This is a special athlete with the skills to crack secondaries like an egg.

While the Johnson pick makes sense, I’d submit two other names. First is guard Kevin Dotson. Steelers fans know how good Dotson is but a full season as the team’s starting right guard will show the rest of the league.

But if I have just one guy to bank on, give me wide receiver Chase Claypool. Johnson is talented but Claypool is a special player with his combination of size and speed. And picking Johnson over Claypool means you are banking on Johnson getting past the drops that plagued him all of last season.