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Steelers wide receiver Johnny Holton carries against the Buccaneers in the third quarter Friday, Aug. 9, 2019, at Heinz Field.
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Competition to carve out a role heats up for Steelers receivers

Matt Freed/Post-Gazette

Competition to carve out a role heats up for Steelers receivers

The arithmetic of the Steelers wide receiver position is more algebra than basic math, more calculus than pure counting.

If they keep six receivers, then who are the odd men out? If five is the number — could they possibly want seven? — then who gets the final spot?

None of the players seemingly on the fringe come across particularly concerned about the equation, even if it could mean everything for their NFL livelihood.

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“I don’t get too much into the competition or any of that,” said Johnny Holton, who just turned 28 Friday. “We just go out there and get each other better. If it ain't here, you could be somewhere else, so we push each other to be better every day.”

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Holton is the oldest of the bunch and has the least sexy skill set. He has, by far, the most similar body type to Darrius Heyward-Bey, a veteran who spent the past five seasons here mostly because of his special teams prowess. And for Holton, that might mean not as a returner, but as a savvy, straight line-fast gunner to cover punts, and possibly kicks, like Heyward-Bey did.

So far this preseason, Holton has played 26 snaps on offense and 23 on special teams, but isn't hearing much from the coaches on whether he’s carving out a role for himself.

“It’s not necessarily feedback,” said Holton, who found a way to stick on Oakland’s active roster out of training camp the past three seasons as the fifth wideout and special teams ace. “They just say come out here and work hard every day. They've been preaching that since Day 1.”

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Problem for Holton could be, special teams is also the calling card and smoothest path to the roster for another receiver, 5-foot-8 Diontae Spencer. Spencer, 27, has been in pro football as long as any Steelers wideout other than Donte Moncrief, but after four seasons in the CFL, he’s basically an NFL rookie.

Spencer made his biggest splash to date in the second exhibition, taking an end-around 19 yards and a punt 38 yards. Like he did in Canada, he’s quickly — literally — painting himself as the best option for the Steelers on returns, but will that be enough to justify a roster spot?

“It’s just all about getting comfortable,” Spencer said after the second preseason game. “I’m just excited, and once the game starts slowing down, I can put my best foot forward and keep making plays.”

Most important now for Spencer might be showing what more he can do as a pass-catcher, building on his two receptions for 17 yards in the preseason opener. All the while, he’ll keep in mind something that late receivers coach Darryl Drake reminded him before his death Aug. 11.

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“He would always tell me, ‘You belong in this league, and you’ve got to believe that.’ I felt like I came out here [last week], wasn't thinking too much, and was just out there making plays.”

As Spencer and Holton try to make this team through the side door, Ryan Switzer and Eli Rogers are still front-runners for a job. For all we know, based on their usage so far this summer, they’re nearly as safe as the top four of JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, Diontae Johnson and Moncrief.

Switzer has played just 37 snaps this preseason, and Rogers only 22, all on offense for both shifty slot receivers who have been factors in the return game throughout their careers.

“We’ve got a lot of talented guys in the room, and we all can play,” said Rogers, whose numbers have gone down each of the past three seasons amid injuries. “So, it’s really down to the coaches’ decision.”

Mike Tomlin isn’t shedding much light on that. Asked Thursday about Rogers’ usage, or lack thereof, he deflected.

“Everybody will be given an opportunity,” Tomlin said. “We’ve only played two games, and we’ve got two games to play.”

Keep an eye on the rotation in Sunday night’s matchup with Tennessee. Who will have the most opportunities with the first-team offense, especially if Johnson is limited by an injury? Which will be featured on special teams? Will any of them be so useful that they cut into the numbers of another position?

“The fourth, fifth, sixth receiver, it’s just going to come down to making plays, being assignment-sound,” Rogers said. “It’s whoever can make those plays and whoever the coach feels is the best fit for that position.”

Brian Batko: bbatko@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrianBatko. Register and join us Aug. 27 for our free Punt, Pass & Chat event on the North Shore.

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First Published: August 24, 2019, 4:00 p.m.
Updated: August 24, 2019, 4:02 p.m.

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