It is an all-too-common to hear about NFL rookies hitting the rookie wall. It’s a product of multiple factors. Most college players play a shorter season and don’t play the quality of opponent week in and week out. Additionally, if you track the timeline of most rookies, they go straight from their final season of college straight into draft prep then once they are on a team are almost immediately thrust into training camps and OTAs. It can turn into a full two years of football with very little downtime.
This sounds like what rookie wide receiver Diontae Johnson is dealing with. He admitted he’s hitting the rookie wall but says some of his veteran teammates are helping him work through it.
Johnson currently leads the Steelers in receptions (47), receiving yards (545( and receiving touchdowns (4). Johnson is also the team’s primary punt and kick returner and has one punt return touchdown.
Unfortunately, while the Steelers coaches have been able to adjust the workload of linebacker Devin Bush to help him deal with the rookie wall, injuries as wide receiver has meant Johnson cannot be afforded that luxury. Hopefully a return of JuJu Smith-Schuster this week will give Johnson an opportunity to lower his reps somewhat.
