Diontae Johnson couldn't avoid the Antonio Brown comparisons.
From the time the Steelers selected Johnson out of Toledo in the third round of the 2019 draft, the rumblings took shape. Then, after every media outlet dove into film study, they intensified.
Physically, Johnson and Brown are virtually identical — Johnson at 5-foot-11, 181 pounds and Brown at 5-10, 186 pounds. Both receivers posted less-than-stellar numbers at the combine, but each shows a unique ability to create space with precise route-running and an informed, calculated approach. They're both shifty after the catch, and they both have extensive experience in the return game.
Put plainly: The Steelers expect Johnson to replace Brown in some capacity. Johnson understands that well, and he says he actually studies Brown's skill set to apply certain aspects to his own game.
"I look at his releases, how he catches the ball, how he comes out of his breaks, those type of things and try to apply it to my game," Johnson was telling me at the Rooney Complex after Day 1 of the Steelers OTAs. "I feel like my releases are just as similar as his, and my route-running also, so those are the couple things I look at."
Where and how that production will come remains to be seen. Johnson showed his versatility in college — playing from the slot and from outside — and it's likely the Steelers will expect the same. On Day 1, however, Johnson's role was more defined.
"I took like one rep in [the] slot, but the majority of the reps were outside, so that's what I'm kind of focusing on right now," Johnson said.
Between reps, Johnson could be seen meeting with Mike Tomlin one on one. Were they discussing his routes? His adjustment to the pro level?
I asked:
Media got a first look at Johnson during Steelers rookie minicamp, but he missed time with an undisclosed ailment. Johnson assured us today that's all in the past and no longer a concern.
"You probably have to ask Coach Tomlin about that, but it was nothing," Johnson said.
Moving forward, Johnson knows he has one primary task: Improve. He will ask questions, soak up what he can, then do his best to apply it on the field. To that end, there's a second figure guiding him along: JuJu Smith-Schuster.
"I'm older than JuJu, but I look up to JuJu," Johnson said. "He's the one I'm going to leech onto because he's been successful and I'm trying to follow in his footsteps right now, trying to get my game going and soak up as much information as I can from him."
More from our talk today:
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MATT SUNDAY GALLERY
Steelers organized team activity, Rooney Sports Complex, May 21, 2019 - MATT SUNDAY / DKPS