Though he did not join the Pittsburgh Steelers until mid-November and played only 72 offensive snaps for them, Deon Cain made an impact.
Cain caught five of the six targets thrown his way and twice drew important pass interference penalties (one gained 26 yards, another was in the end zone). Including a catch he had for the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, three of Cain’s nine receptions last season went for more than 20 yards.
It was a small sample size in the midst of learning a new offense on the fly and with inexperienced quarterback play in late-season weather conditions. But did Cain show enough that perhaps he could be a part of the Steelers’ passing game in 2020?
“Definitely, for sure,” Cain said after the Steelers’ season ended with a loss in Baltimore. “I am still young in this game, and I know I what I am capable of. Everything will come together. Just got to get chemistry with the quarterback. So now I am glad we’ve got this offseason to get together and put everything together.”
No receiver in the NFL this season drew a higher rate of pass interference penalties from opponents than Deon Cain.#Steelershttps://t.co/mzEplCctwI
— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) January 2, 2020
At 6-foot-2, 202 pounds, Cain has 4.4-second speed in the 40-yard dash and a résumé at a big-time college that includes five catches during the 2016 national championship game victory for Clemson against Alabama.
But though he was projected as an early-round draft pick, Cain fell to the sixth round and never made much of an impact over 1 ½ seasons with the Colts.
So when the Steelers needed a receiver late last season, they signed Cain off the Colts’ practice squad.
He had a 35-yard catch in his first game, a DPI drawn that led to a touchdown in his second game and a 22-yard catch in his third game — all Steelers wins, and all in a span of just 39 snaps played.
“I definitely loved everything about being here, and felt that way from Day 1,” Cain said,” … and really looking forward to next season and how everything will click together with how much talent we’ve got.”
With JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington and Diontae Johnson assured roster spots, Ryan Switzer and Amara Darboh also returning and a likely draft pick and/or veteran free agent to be added to the mix, Cain will have to have a strong offseason and training camp to be part of the Steelers’ 2020 plans.
Johnny Holton, Anthony Johnson and Jamal Custis are other wide receivers on the Steelers’ offseason roster — as is former Pitt star Quadree Henderson, who is more of a return specialist.
But, especially if he can play special teams, Cain has shown flashes he can be a nice deep, big-play complement to the Steelers’ receiving group.
“I am definitely excited to see how everyone comes together and build the chemistry with everyone, because I know how much I can help this team out,” Cain said. “With what I’m capable of, and I am ready for everything to turn out.”
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