Late Wednesday night, NFL reporter Ian Rapoport tweeted out the Pittsburgh Steelers will be signing free-agent wide receiver Donte Moncrief to a two-year contract. What will this addition mean for the wide receiver depth chart? Let’s throw out a few theories.
No impact on the draft
The addition of Moncrief is not going to change the Steelers draft plans in terms of a wide receiver. We obviously aren’t privy to the Steelers’ big board but if Pittsburgh was planning to spend a top pick in an attempt to replace Antonio Brown, this signing will not change anything.
Impact on the Steelers depth chart
Justin Hunter and Darrius Heyward-Bey should both look at the addition of Moncrief as a sign their days are numbered. Moncrief is the best of both of these guys in one player. He’s got speed to nearly match Heyward-Bey and bring the size of Hunter. While no one thinks Moncrief can replace the productivity of Brown he can be productive in this offense.
Puts pressure on James Washington
When Brown was traded the easy choice to replace him on the depth chart was James Washington. Despite a mediocre rookie campaign, Washington was the best option on the roster to line up outside opposite JuJu Smith-Schuster. But Moncrief brings a level of experience to at least force Washington into a shared situation. Either way, hopefully, this signing puts Washington on notice if he wants playing time he has to play better.
