By Jordan Long
The Pittsburgh Steelers were in need of another wide receiver opposite JuJu Smith-Schuster. Smith-Schuster becomes the #1 wide out after Pittsburgh traded Antonio Brown to the Oakland Raiders. Pittsburgh found their wide receiver in Donte Moncrief, agreeing to a 2-year deal with him.
Moncrief is entering his 6th NFL season and the Steelers are his 3rd team. He previously suited up for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Indianapolis Colts. Moncrief was in Jacksonville last year. He caught 48 passes for 668 yards and added 3 touchdowns. Those aren’t bad numbers but his average yards per catch was an impressive 13.9 yards.
The Jaguars saw enough and decided his production wasn’t worth re-signing him. Moncrief was a free agent and could agree to a new contract with any team. The Steelers had a glaring need at wide receiver and decided Moncrief was the top one to play opposite Smith-Schuster.
Moncrief is going to take the pressure off Smith-Schuster. He will run routes for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger should be able to find him wide open. When Moncrief catches the football, he will make defenders miss. These gains are 1st downs or longer. Moncrief protects the football with 1 fumble in his entire career. Once Pittsburgh drives into the red zone, Roethlisberger must look for Moncrief. His size at 6 foot 2 inches allows him to out jump defensive backs in the end zone for touchdowns. The Steelers know adding Moncrief is going to make the offense more dangerous.
The only way this contract doesn’t work is if Moncrief doesn’t play well and is hurt. His worst year was in 2016 when he missed 7 games dealing with a shoulder injury as well as a hamstring injury. If he is sidelined, Pittsburgh knows they will be in trouble on offense. Smith-Schuster will then be the only wide receiver who can gain large chunks of yards. Hopefully, Moncrief will perform and help this team reach the playoffs once again.
Very informative article. Well written.