Diontae Johnson Quiz Got You Guessing? Bet You Won’t Score 10/10

Diontae Johnson was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The Steelers saw in him a versatile receiver who could replace Antonio Brown’s route running and shiftiness. The team has a strong history of developing mid-round wide receivers into stars, and Johnson quickly became a central piece of their offense. The other teams listed were not in need of a receiver at that draft slot, and the Steelers were uniquely positioned to capitalize on his potential. His breakout performances confirmed they made the right call.

Diontae Johnson played college football at the University of Toledo. Although Toledo isn’t a Power Five program, Johnson stood out with his explosive speed, punt returns, and precise cuts in the MAC conference. His performances earned him First-team All-MAC honors and grabbed the attention of NFL scouts despite the smaller-school status. Choosing Toledo over more prominent football schools often highlights a player’s journey through perseverance, growth, and raw development potential—something that fits Johnson’s profile.

Diontae Johnson was drafted in the third round, a sweet spot for finding wide receiver talent without the first-round expectations. His pick came at number 66 overall, which reflects the Steelers’ high hopes for his growth. Third-round picks often involve a calculated risk—players with high upside but something scouts consider raw or undeveloped. For Johnson, that risk paid off. He wasn’t seen as NFL-ready in every dimension, but his athleticism, agility, and kick return ability made him a high-value pick in that round.

Johnson is best known for his precision route running. His cuts are tight, his acceleration out of breaks is elite, and he often creates separation with footwork rather than brute strength. Route running is a fundamental skill that allows receivers to consistently get open, even if they lack size or top-end speed. Analysts and coaches often compare Johnson to specialists like Stefon Diggs in terms of technique. While he has decent speed and agility, it’s the way he navigates zones and loses defenders with subtle moves that makes him stand out.

In 2021, Johnson led the Pittsburgh Steelers in receiving yards. This marked a key year in his development, transitioning from a promising young player to a legitimate WR1. While touchdowns and flashy plays may grab headlines, consistent yardage over a season shows a wide receiver's reliability. In a year where the offense had its ups and downs, Johnson remained a go-to option in clutch moments, often used in both short-yardage plays and deeper routes. His route consistency and hands helped him become Ben Roethlisberger’s most trusted target that season.

During Johnson’s rookie season in 2019, Mason Rudolph was the primary quarterback throwing to him due to Ben Roethlisberger’s season-ending elbow injury. While Devlin “Duck” Hodges also played, Rudolph had more starts. Despite the quarterback instability, Johnson led the team in receiving touchdowns that year, which speaks to his ability to adapt quickly to the NFL and earn trust. Catching passes from a backup QB and still producing impressive rookie stats shows his skill and mental resilience under pressure.

One of the key issues that has occasionally impacted Johnson’s game is dropped passes. While his route running and separation are elite, he has faced criticism—especially in the 2020 season—for drops in critical moments. This led to concerns about focus, hand strength, and concentration. The Steelers coaching staff addressed this through additional reps and mental training, which helped reduce the issue over time. His work ethic and response to criticism showed maturity, but it remains a minor mark on an otherwise polished skill set.

Johnson wears jersey number 18 for the Pittsburgh Steelers. While jersey numbers are largely symbolic, number 18 has become a recognizable part of his brand on the field. NFL fans often associate specific numbers with key players, and 18 has become a staple in Pittsburgh highlight reels. Number choices also reflect player preference, identity, or tribute to past icons. For Johnson, it’s now tied to his game film, merchandise, and fan loyalty. Visual cues like jersey numbers also help defenders and viewers identify matchups pre-snap.

Johnson is commonly compared to an agile route separator. This archetype isn’t focused on towering physical dominance but rather on agility, quick release, and sharp cuts to gain space. Players like Calvin Ridley, Stefon Diggs, and Diontae Johnson fit this mold. They rely on craft and timing more than contested catches. This makes them ideal targets for quarterbacks who need fast, reliable reads. While Johnson occasionally lines up inside, his separation ability makes him dangerous in both the slot and outside matchups.

In the Madden NFL video game series, Diontae Johnson consistently earns high ratings in route running. Madden's rating system reflects a player’s real-world ability to separate from defenders, execute timing routes, and change direction with precision. His acceleration and agility ratings are also usually above average, but route running remains his standout trait in-game. These attributes make him effective in simulation and user-controlled settings, especially in short and intermediate playbooks. EA Sports bases these stats on film, analytics, and input from real scouts.