G.Stryker
www.SteelerNation.com
This is what I see for depth currently (Rostered players in bold):
LWR (X) Antonio Brown, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Demarcus Ayers
SWR (Y) Eli Rogers, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marcus Tucker, Demarcus Ayers
RWR (Z) Martavis Bryant, Sammie Coates, Justin Hunter, Cobi Hamilton
Out/Cut: Canaan Severin (currently with the NY Giants)
I’ve placed the receivers with size on the Right (Z), and the quicker smaller receivers on the Left (X). Our slot guys are set (Y). I think the Steelers keep 6 WRs this year with a proposed emphasis on 4WR sets.
For the X receiver position, Coates is making plays and looks to be separating himself from Hunter. I did not like that he slowed up on his deep ball. He would have had a chance to catch it for a TD if he didn’t pull up. Antonio is a lock. Marcus Tucker is purely being looked at in the slot now, so I moved him to only be a slot receiver.
The slot is starting to solidify. Eli looks to be the starter. His superior route running and knowledge of the playbook is separating him as being the true #1 slot receiver. JuJu takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin. Another banged up event in this game, but surprisingly he comes back strong to finish with some tough catches. Steelers fans are really going to like him on Sundays when he’s out there working hard for this team. Tucker is now the 3rd option in the slot until Ayers comes back to see what he can do. It will be interesting to see who gets the snaps this week. The coaches may just go right back to Ayres to see how he responds. He only has one week to make some splash plays and solidify his case as a rostered receiver.
Bryant is showing everyone, he’s ready to play. Though he does have to work on his screens and end arounds. He’s giving up too much ground when he gets the ball and loses his speed advantage when he does so. DHB with a strong showing. Not only on the field, but he was running with the first special teams coverage units. He was getting down the field in a hurry too. That alone leapfrogged him over Hunter, who now only has one more week to impress.
I expect Coates, Ayres, and Hunter to get a lot of work in this game. The winner earns a spot, the other 2 may be out.
