First Call: Joe Haden lists former teammate as toughest to cover; Steelers triplets near back of NFL rankings

In Wednesday’s “First Call,” former Steelers cornerback Joe Haden gives us the five toughest guys to cover during his career. Another offseason NFL list is less than kind to the Steelers.

The Pirates drop another game in the National League Central standings behind the scalding Cincinnati Reds. And we’ve got an update on Penn State alum Saquon Barkley’s situation in New York.

Hearing it from Haden

On ESPN’s “NFL Live,” former Steelers cornerback Joe Haden listed the top five receivers that were the toughest for him to cover.

Atop the list was another former Steeler, Antonio Brown.

.@joehaden23 shared his top five toughest covers of his career on NFL Live pic.twitter.com/4CC7xdv0Xs

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 20, 2023

As a member of the Cleveland Browns, Haden attempted to cover Brown from 2010-16. Haden joined the Steelers before the 2017 season started. For his career, Brown has more touchdowns (10), yards (1,479) and catches (101) against Cleveland than against any other NFL club.

Calvin Johnson, Odell Beckham Jr., Julio Jones and A.J. Green are the other receivers on Haden’s list.

Trailing triplets

CBSSports.com is doing its annual NFL “triplet rankings” list. In other words, going team-by-team and ranking the clubs based on the quarterback, top running back and best receiving target.

For the Steelers, they are selecting Kenny Pickett as the quarterback, Najee Harris as the running back and Diontae Johnson as the receiver. That group comes in 22nd, behind the Denver Broncos at No. 21 (Russell Wilson, Javonte Williams and Courtland Sutton) and just in front of the Green Bay Packers with new QB Jordan Love, Aaron Jones at running back and Christian Watson as the top target.

Here’s what the website said about the unit.

“If there is any team from this group that is most likely to make a significant jump this year, it might be the Steelers. Second-year quarterbacks typically take a step forward if they are going to end up being any good, and Pickett has an improved offensive line in front of him as well as both Johnson and George Pickens, plus Allen Robinson, Pat Freiermuth, and Darnell Washington in his pass-catching corps. If he makes a leap, the Steelers can certainly jump into the top half of the league.”

The top 20 teams will be unveiled over the next few days. But the Steelers coming in at 22 seems a touch low to me. I would’ve put them somewhere between 16-20. And I would’ve made Pickens the target instead of Johnson.

Back on with Barkley

Former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley may be getting contract talks back in gear with the New York Giants.

That’s according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

The two sides have until July 17 to agree on a long-term contract agreement. If they can’t, Barkley’s salary will have to revert to the $10.1 million franchise tag for 2023.

“He said recently at his (youth) camp, that he’s not going to make a definitive declaration of what he is going to do in the 2023 season until we get into that deadline and to be sure there is still room here for a deal. Talks are back on between the Giants and Saquon Barkley. Now, we’ll see if they can get to a point where he could become one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL.

“At the very least, Saquon Barkley is expected to be back with the Giants on a one-year fully guaranteed tag. It’s just a matter of whether he’s going to get the security that he wants. Time will tell on that one, ” Rapoport said.

Barkley was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 draft. He made the Pro Bowl in 2022 rushing for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns on a career-high 295 attempts for the Giants.

Just can’t get enough

The Cincinnati Reds refuse to lose. They beat the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday 8-6. That’s good for a 10th win in a row. It’s the franchise’s longest winning streak since 2012, when they also won 10 straight.

Rookie sensation Elly De La Cruz homered again.

The timeline needed more Elly De La Cruz content. @ellylacocoa18 pic.twitter.com/eA7iEUn1DW

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 21, 2023

That’s his second big fly since being called up to the Major League club. He also had three hits in the game to boost his average to .308. His OPS is .898. He caused some issues on the basepaths for Colorado too.

Chaosball @ellylacocoa18 ╳ @jfral_23 pic.twitter.com/cueB9fhB8D

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 21, 2023

The Reds’ (39-35) lead atop the NL remains at just half a game, though, as the Milwaukee Brewers (38-35) beat the NL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks (44-30) 7-5. The Pirates (34-38) have sunk into fourth place, four games behind the Reds. They have lost eight in a row.