As we speak, I needed to supply the opposite facet of the coin to my Steelers’ Quarterback Passing Charts, and offering takeaways for Pittsburgh’s receivers for the 2024 common and postseason.
A few notes earlier than we leap in. Due to Thomas Mock for his nice work, which helped me be taught a lot of what I’m utilizing within the collection visually. Spikes and clear throwaways are eliminated as a result of they’re the right situational choices, together with batted passes on the line of scrimmage that have an effect on the meant go location.
First, let’s have a look at WR completion/incompletion dots, then talk about targets, catches, and catch charges together with group ranks (seven qualifiers, min. 25 targets):
George Pickens-Charted-Targets: 106 (first). Catches: 65 (second). Catch-Charge: 61.3-percent (final).
Pickens led the group in targets, as you most likely knew. Second in catches, although, with the bottom catch price of all Steelers receivers with at the very least 25 charted targets. This, and the visible above, level to being the group’s major downfield goal, with that prime quantity of decrease share throws going his manner. 9 drops have been additionally a difficulty (T-seventh most within the NFL).
Calvin Austin-Charted-Targets: 58 (third). Catches: 37 (fifth). Catch-Charge: 63.8-percent (fifth).
He had way more alternative this season, practically double the charted targets he noticed in 2023 (30). The standard additionally bought higher by means of the season. Austin moved up a rank in catches, and his reference to QB Russell Wilson improved from 56-percent to a 63.8 catch price post-bye. Right here’s to hoping that momentum carries into 2025, with manufacturing behind WR1 needing a lift.
Van Jefferson-Charted-Targets: 42 (sixth). Catches: 26 (sixth). Catch-Charge: 61.9-percent (sixth).
Talking of which, the third most focused WR in Jefferson was extra helpful as a blocker and was primarily a short-area goal. The visible emphasizes that the previous ten yards have been lower than superb total, and hopefully, scheme/depth enhancements can help a room that challenges defenses extra.
Right here’s a warmth map of completions solely, adopted by completion charges by go distance:
There may be predictability for every, which the opposition picked up on within the five-game dropping streak to finish of 2024. Exterior of excessive share brief throws, it was largely Pickens deep to the sidelines, Austin over the center and intermediate, and solely a sprinkle of success previous ten yards for Jefferson.
Pickens-Behind-the-line: 6/6 (100-percent). 0-5 air-yards: 22/28 (78.6-percent). 5-10 air-yards: 21/34 (61.8-percent). 10-15 air-yards: 4/13 (30.8-percent). 15-20 air-yards: 2/9 (22.2-percent). Explosive: 17/32 (53.1-percent).
Intermediate (10-20 yards) was an excessive wrestle for Steelers quarterbacks that additionally lacked amount. That is very true for Pickens on the receiving finish as nicely. Enhancing on this is able to problem defenses extra, as they discovered Wilson’s brief or chunk it deep model. Knock on wooden, we see a change, no matter who’s the beginning quarterback in 2025.
Austin-Behind-the-line: 6/7 (85.7-percent). 0-5 air-yards: 4/9 (44.4-percent). 5-10 air-yards: 13/16 (81.3-percent). 10-15 air-yards: 5/7 (71.4-percent). 15-20 air-yards: 4/6 (66.7-percent). Explosive: 7/15 (46.7-percent).
These are fairly robust charges for Austin total, who was the exception and Pittsburgh’s greatest intermediate broad receiver this season. 0-5 air yards was an unlucky room for enchancment space. Significantly better explosive outcomes in comparison with an abysmal 14.3 catch price final 12 months. Hoping for an additional leap in 12 months three.
Jefferson-Behind-the-line: 2/2 (100-percent). 0-5 air-yards: 12/17 (70.6-percent). 5-10 air-yards: 12/17 (70.6-percent). 10-15 air-yards: 1/2 (50-percent). 15-20 air-yards: 2/3 (66.7-percent). Explosive: 3/9 (33.3-percent).
As soon as once more, the numbers spotlight robust short-area outcomes, uncommon intermediate alternatives, and an total lack of explosive affect, which isn’t Jefferson’s recreation.
Now for non-WRs, beginning with dots and group ranks (eight qualifiers, min. 25-targets):
TE Pat Freiermuth: Charted-Targets: 77 (second). Catches: 67 (first). Catch-Charge: 87-percent (first).
Freiermuth encouragingly was extra concerned in Pittsburgh’s offense, main Pittsburgh in catches and catch price. Total, it was largely ten yards or much less, and all incompletions previous that mark have been between the numbers. The place was hardly ever utilized at 20-plus air yards, an untapped useful resource that Freiermuth needs to be getting extra alternatives as we see from a few of the most profitable NFL offenses.
RB Jaylen Warren: Charted-Targets: 50 (T-fourth). Catches: 43 (third). Catch-Charge: 86-percent (second).
The place is basically used as a check-down possibility for his or her QBs throughout the league, and Warren was the extra dependable one for Pittsburgh in 2024. The overwhelming majority was lower than 5 air yards however did have three targets of five-plus.
RB Najee Harris: Charted-Targets: 50 (T-fourth). Catches: 39 (fourth). Catch-Charge: 78-percent (fourth).
Harris tied Warren in charted targets, solely behind Pickens and Freiermuth. We see Harris had the more serious catch price, although, eight share factors worse. This included focus drops regardless of all of his targets coming at 5 yards or much less and nearly all of incompletions behind the road.
TE Darnell Washington: Charted-Targets: 25 (final). Catches: 20 (final). Catch-Charge: 80-percent (third).
Although Washington ranked final in targets and catches in his second season, his involvement greater than doubled his rookie 12 months (ten targets, seven catches). Much like Freiermuth, it’s largely ten air yards or much less. He did contribute some good issues within the intermediate vary, however he solely had one explosive air yard goal.
Now the warmth map for completions solely and completion charges by go distance:
As I said earlier, the charts are fairly bleak total, significantly for the tight ends. After all, broad receiver charts needs to be way more assorted, however much less predictability and sure elevated affect at TE across the area might do wonders in 2025.
Freiermuth-Behind-the-line: 4/4 (100-percent). 0-5 air-yards: 43/47 (91.5-percent). 5-10 air-yards: 20/24 (83.3-percent). 10-15 air-yards: 8/13 (61.5-percent). 15-20 air-yards: 5/7 (71.4-percent). Explosive: 1/1 (100-percent).
Stellar charges total, with 60-plus % in any respect go distances, impressively. Over 80 at ten air yards or much less, with 10-15 being an space for hopeful enchancment.
Warren-Behind-the-line: 17/20 (85-percent). 0-5 air-yards: 26/28 (92.9-percent). 5-10 air-yards: 1/2 (50-percent). 10-15 air-yards: 0/0. 15-20 air-yards: 0/1 (0-percent). Explosive: 0/0.
Nice check-down outcomes, however connections on simply one in all three targets previous 5 yards.
Harris-Behind-the-line: 21/29 (72.4-percent). 0-5 air-yards: 18/21 (85.7-percent). 5-10 air-yards: 0/1 (0-percent). 10-15 air-yards: 0/0. 15-20 air-yards: 0/0. Explosive: 0/0.
Decrease marks than Warren throughout the board, which doesn’t bode nicely, contemplating the group might transfer on.
Washington-Behind-the-line: 2/3 (66.7-percent). 0-5 air-yards: 14/15 (93.3-percent). 5-10 air-yards: 2/4 (50-percent). 10-15 air-yards: 2/3 (66.7-percent). 15-20 air-yards: 1/1 (100-percent). Explosive: 0/1 (0-percent).
0-5 air yards was close to excellent and nearly all of his alternatives, the very best price on the group outdoors of behind the road and affordable quantity. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see what his 2025 utilization seems like, together with your complete Steelers receiving corps.
Many questions stay early within the offseason. One factor’s for positive: One thing has to provide with how the 2024 season ended. It’s discouraging to see how far Pittsburgh is from a number of prolific offenses in at this time’s NFL.
The Steelers have had their manner of doing issues, with a run-first and powerful defensive mentality. A painful five-game dropping streak towards robust groups to finish the 12 months will hopefully immediate a long-overdue bolstering of their go recreation to enhance that much more.
