As we speak I needed to supply the opposite aspect of the coin to my weekly Steelers Quarterback Passing Charts articles, taking a look at and offering takeaways for Pittsburgh’s receivers for the 2024 season.
Couple notes earlier than we leap in. Because of Thomas Mock for his nice work that helped me study a lot of what I’m utilizing within the sequence visually. Spikes and clear throwaways are eliminated because of being the proper situational resolution, together with batted passes on the line of scrimmage that have an effect on the supposed cross location.
First, let’s take a look at receivers with over 20 targets by Week 8. 4 gamers qualify: WR George Pickens, TE Pat Freiermuth, WR Calvin Austin III, and WR Van Jefferson. Listed here are their completion/incompletion dots, then discussing targets, catches, and catch charges together with their group ranks:
George Pickens-Charted-Targets: 57 (first). Catches: 35 (first). Catch Fee: 61.4 p.c (sixth).
As anticipated going into the season, Pickens has been probably the most focused Steelers participant by far and greater than doubles another Pittsburgh receiver in catches. The catch charge lands him sixth out seven complete receivers I’m breaking down on this article. That is principally because of a less-efficient reference to QB Justin Fields the primary six video games (60.5), in comparison with Russell Wilson (64.3), and being the group’s essential downfield goal (much less completion chance).
Calvin Austin III-Charted-Targets: 25 (third). Catches: 14 (T-fourth). Catch-Fee: 56.0 p.c (final).
His targets have been rising as of late, although the connection has been spotty with both QB. The depth at WR has been mentioned advert nauseam, and Austin is at present that man within the receiving sport.
Van Jefferson-Charted-Targets: 21 (fifth). Catches: 14 (T-fourth). Catch-Fee: 66.7-percent (fifth).
Jefferson has performed extra of a complementary position, specifically requested to dam very often. Wilson has distributed the ball extra, getting a number of gamers, together with Jefferson, extra concerned the final two video games. A dependable quick goal total, however previous 10 yards has been like pulling tooth. Jefferson did have his first explosive air yardage as a Steeler on a incredible 36-yard catch final sport.
Listed here are heat-maps of all charted targets, together with completion charges by distance:
Pickens-Behind-the-line: 2/2 (100-percent). 0-5 air-yards: 12/14 (85.7-percent). 5-10 air-yards: 10/19 (52.6-percent). 10-15 air-yards: 3/9 (33.3-percent). 15-20 air-yards: 2/6 (33.3-percent). Explosive: 9/15 (60.0-percent).
Nice at 5 air yards or much less. 5 to twenty air yards is the need-for-improvement space, notably intermediate (10-20). His explosive catch charge is incredible, as you may count on.
Austin-Behind-the-line: 0/1 (0.0-percent). 0-5 air-yards: 1/3 (33.3-percent). 5-10 air-yards: 6/9 (66.7-percent). 10-15 air-yards: 2/3 (66.7-percent). 15-20 air-yards: 4/5 (80.0-percent). Explosive: 1/4 (20-percent).
Apparently, Austin has been stronger in all of the areas Pickens isn’t by Week 8. 5 to twenty air yards are good marks, encouragingly, whereas 5 yards or much less and explosives are usually not practically as much as snuff. After all, missed throws by the QB add necessary context, just like the behind-the0line atrocious miss from Wilson for instance. Very risky although.
Jefferson-Behind-the-line: 1/1 (100-percent). 0-5 air-yards: 8/10 (80.0-percent). 5-10 air-yards: 3/3 (100-percent). 10-15 air-yards: 1/2 (50.0-percent). 15-20 air-yards: 0/0 (N/A). Explosive: 1/5 (20.0-percent).
Principally what I anticipated with Jefferson, strong at 10 air yards or much less with diminished outcomes the deeper he’s focused downfield. Pittsburgh is getting means too little from its secondary WRs in explosive air yardage.
Listed here are the completions solely warmth map, together with most focused and accomplished areas:
This visible actually illustrates my final level additional. Whereas Pickens is without doubt one of the greatest deep-ball threats within the sport, having one other participant who additionally affords it might actually problem defenses. Whether or not in home or not, it’s one thing I hope to see enhance as Wilson will get extra taking part in time, optimistically.
Pickens-Most-targeted-area: exterior left numbers-sideline, four-nine air yards. Most accomplished space: left numbers-sideline, three-eight air yards.
Austin-Most-targeted-area: left numbers-slightly exterior, three-nine air yards. Most accomplished space: left hash-left numbers, 11-17 air yards.
Jefferson-Most-targeted-area: proper numbers-right sideline, three-seven air yards. Most accomplished space: proper numbers-right sideline, four-five air yards.
Now for non-WRs, the place 4 gamers have double-digit targets, breaking them down equally:
Pat Freiermuth-Charted-Targets: 29 (second). Catches: 26 (second). Catch-Fee: 89.7 p.c (second).
A dependable second goal for Pittsburgh, Freiermuth has the second-best catch charge because the group’s major middle-of-the-field receiver. He’s a giant purpose the group has achieved greater than keep afloat at 6-2, assuaging the noise for a WR2 for some. What hasn’t been utilized is explosive air yardage, frustratingly, and is a instrument that Wilson and OC Arthur Smith hopefully make the most of transferring ahead.
Najee Harris-Charted-Targets: 23 (fourth). Catches: 17 (third). Catch-Fee: 73.9 p.c (fourth).
After all, RBs are check-down choices the overwhelming majority of the time. We see that the connection has been too spotty, contemplating Harris’ longest air-yard goal of 2024 is 4. This included a drop final sport, and whereas spectacular magic occurs when the ball in his arms (fortunately), right here is hoping the missed alternatives get cleaned up the remainder of the season.
Jaylen Warren-Charted-Targets: 16 (sixth). Catches: 13 (sixth). Catch-Fee: 81.3 p.c (third).
Opposing takeaway for Pittsburgh’s RB2. Extra dependable arms however hasn’t supplied the identical explosiveness he spoiled us with final season. He has handled accidents, and issues have regarded higher as of late, so hopefully he is without doubt one of the many gamers for whom the bye week was nicely timed. If that’s the case, look out, as a result of pairing that with Harris’ greatest 12 months so far can be scary within the open area.
Darnell Washington-Charted-Targets: 12 (final). Catches: 11 (final). Catch-Fee: 91.7 p.c (first).
Atop the checklist of gamers Wilson has concerned extra is Mount Washington. Implausible 90-plus catch charge, so the Steelers’ major TEs are just about snatching all the things. Out of those 4 gamers (TEs and RBs), Washington has the one explosive air yard goal, a severely overthrown seam ball by Fields that will have a minimum of gotten the Steelers contained in the purple zone, if no more. Hopefully we see the TE place utilized extra on this means transferring ahead.
Listed here are warmth maps of all charted targets, together with completion charges by distance:
Freiermuth-Behind-the-line: 1/1 (100-percent). 0-5 air-yards: 18/18 (100-percent). 5-10 air-yards: 9/10 (90.0-percent). 10-15 air-yards: 2/5 (40.0-percent). 15-20 air-yards: 2/2 (100-percent). Explosive: 0/0 (N/A).
Wonderful within the quick areas, as you’d count on. Intermediate (10-20 air yards) is the place most of his incompletions are, although he caught each of his deepest targets previous 15 yards.
Harris-Behind-the-line: 7/12 (58.3-percent). 0-5 air-yards: 10/11 (90.9-percent). 5-10 air-yards: 0/0 (N/A). 10-15 air-yards: 0/0 (N/A). 15-20 air-yards: 0/0 (N/A). Explosive: 0/0 (N/A).
Behind the road is poor. 5 of six incompletions to Harris have come there because of Fields accuracy points. Hopefully that connection is stronger with Wilson the remainder of the season.
Warren-Behind-the-line: 6/7 (85.7-percent). 0-5 air-yards: 7/7 (100-percent). 5-10 air-yards: 0/1 (0.0-percent). 10-15 air-yards: 0/1 (0.0-percent). 15-20 air-yards: 0/0 (N/A). Explosive: 0/0 (N/A).
Catching practically all the things at 5 air yards or much less, however two incompletions on as many targets previous 5 yards. Each have been prolonged play/scramble drills from Wilson. One was inaccurate, and the opposite one got here in Week 8 on an end-zone goal, Warren making the catch however thrown barely out of bounds.
Washington-Behind-the-line: 1/1 (100-percent). 0-5 air-yards: 8/8 (100-percent). 5-10 air-yards: 2/2 (100-percent). 10-15 air-yards: 0/0 (N/A). 15-20 air-yards: 1/1 (100-percent). Explosive: 0/1 (0.0-percent).
Largely the flat-route king and letting the practice that no DB desires to sort out get rolling for YAC. Excellent catch charge on all targets, together with his longest air-yard catch final sport, Wilson getting him the nook route the place he stiff-armed a Giants defender on the way in which to an explosive 29-yard achieve. Almost tiptoed down the sideline for much more, probably a home name. Hopefully his YAC dominance continues.
Listed here are the completions-only warmth maps, together with most focused and accomplished areas:
Whereas certainly not I count on this visible to rival the WR charts, the visible actually illustrates my level and essential takeaway on the TEs. Whereas I agree quick space and punishing defenders with their YAC potential ought to far and away be their utilization, they’ve solely sprinkled in intermediate routes and barely touched explosive air yardage.
Freiermuth-Most-targeted-area: proper hash-outside left hash, two-six air yards. Most accomplished space: proper hash-outside left hash, three-six air yards.
Harris-Most-targeted-area: proper numbers-slightly exterior, behind the road AND left hash-right numbers, zero-three air yards. Most accomplished space: center-right numbers, zero-three air yards.
Warren-Most-targeted-area: left hash-left numbers, behind the road. Most accomplished space: similar.
Washington-Most-targeted-area: proper hash-slightly exterior proper numbers, one-four air yards. Most accomplished space: similar.
There was loads to take pleasure in in Arthur Smith’s first season as OC and Pittsburgh’s offensive enchancment. I hope you loved the specifics on the passing sport up to now and the potential modifications that would maximize it much more.
