Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, Arthur Moats hosts a successful podcast called The Arthur Moats Experience. One of his segments is called Master Moats Film Session. During these videos, he breaks down film of Steelers plays and explains what is happening to the average football fan.
Steelers.com
Pittsburgh Steelers former linebacker, Arthur Moats.
It is no secret that Moats is a huge fan of wide receiver Diontae Johnson. He frequently discusses on his show how he feels that fans are judging the wrong things and are failing to see the big picture. According to Moats, Johnson "cooks" on the field on a regular basis.
Moats isn't wrong. Johnson does not get a ton of respect from the fans. Johnson is entering his fifth season in the NFL and it has been a roller coaster of a journey. While no one denies that he has talent, he has struggled at times to convert that to on-field production.
Johnson went from issues with ball drops in prior seasons, to an issue with touchdown production in 2022. It is easy to point fingers at him, but offensive production was down across the board as the Steelers transitioned away from long-time quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. The two quarterbacks, Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett, only managed to amass 11 passing touchdowns all season.
But Moats feels that Johnson is being unfairly criticized. He notes that fans simply look at simple stats and miss all the ways that Johnson helps the team, let alone all the potential he has.
Is Diontae Johnson The Most Underrated Steelers Player?
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson works on catching during warmups in 2022.
"Listen here when I tell you this is a receiver that can cook you from literally every wide receiver position. This dude got another big season coming, I can feel it."
From your lips to God's ears Master Moats. He certainly does seem to have more faith in Johnson than a lot of Steeler Nation. However, he insists it isn't unfounded and explains that during the film session. One of Johnson's best attributes, according to Moats, is his ability to play all over the field. Many receivers are best in one position, like the slot.
"You gonna play Cover 1 on this man? Good luck."
He goes on to show footage of the Steelers and Carolina Panthers game. In the clip, Johnson is able to get exceptional space between himself and the defender. Despite the Panthers having their safety cover the middle of the field, he is no match for Johnson. You see Johnson quickly eat up the space, plant his foot and break off to catch the ball. Moats is amazed at the amount of separation he is able to get.
"Y'all think I'm joking when I say this is college separation. Do you see how much space it is? It's just an easy throw, it's an easy read. That's Diontae baby."
The Arthur Moats Experience
Former Steelers LB Arthur Moats breaks down film of WR Diontae Johnson and shows how he is able to create incredible space between himself and the defender.
According to Moats, he can do this from every receiving spot on the field. He next shows Johnson not in the slot, but instead at the number one position, all the way on the outside. Once again, Johnson is able to eat up the cushion, juke around the corner and get up on his toes to catch the ball. After the catch, he is able to evade the recovered defender and juke him again to pick up a few more yards (glad to see him not run backwards).
"This is beautiful right here. Beautiful. I know everybody gives him a hard time about his hands, but that's a beautiful two-hands catch, clearly in bounds, and then because of how quick he is, watch him pick up some more yardage. That's DJ baby! And he's fired up, I love the passion."
Again Moats shows a different type of play. This time Johnson is running a deep-in route as an outside receiver. He shows that despite excellent coverage from the defense, Johnson is able to beat his man and catch the ball. He said the play reminded him of the time when the Steelers played Miami in 2019 and Johnson used this same type of play to score.
"Once again he is being asked to win against the guy's leverage side. Can he do it? Not only can he, but watch how he cooks it and why does he do it? Because he's able to get on this guy's toes before he starts giving you any indicator. When you talk about Diontae and his route-running ability, that's what makes him so difficult to cover. Everything looks the same with him, there aren't any indicators that are letting you know when he is about to stop or cut right, cut left and that's why you see these defenders falling over like this at times, he's spinning around."
The Arthur Moats Experience
Once again Moats shows how Johnson is able to use his quick feet, agility and speed to juke around a defender to pick up extra yardage.
The consistent separation he creates in almost every situation is what Moats feels is most impressive. As he keeps pointing out the kind of separation Johnson creates is what you expect to see in college, not necessarily in the NFL.
"Inside, outside, right side, left side, it does not matter. If I need to win against your leverage, I'm going to win [with Johnson]. I'm trying to tell y'all this dude is one of the real ones."
While there are plenty of fans who will say it is easy to talk about potential and plays that he has made, does it matter if he isn't producing? What do you think of Johnson and what Moats said? Do you think he is going to have a big year in 2023? Click to comment below!
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