**PITTSBURGH --** The Pittsburgh Steelers believe they have a sleeper at wide receiver in [Brandon Johnson](https://www.pennlive.com/steelers/2024/10/pittsburgh-steelers-add-talented-former-broncos-receiver-for-cowboys-game.html). Johnson is not someone most fans bring up at the position, but he has played a lot early on with questions at outside wide receiver.
Steelers wide receivers coach [Zach Azzanni](https://www.pennlive.com/steelers/2024/11/pittsburgh-steelers-coach-floated-as-college-head-coach-candidate.html) had a lot of praise for Johnson, who is being overlooked as a potential roster candidate.
“I don’t overlook him because this is the third place I’ve coached him,” Azzanni said. “I recruited him to Tennessee, I got him to Denver, he did the rest there. Helped get him here, thank God they listened to me and brought him here, because he’s a sneaky good player. I’m really excited about where he’s at, he can help us. I’m able to coach him hard, he’s our type of player.”
Johnson had 19 receptions for 284 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 13 games in 2023. Last year, he had just one reception for nine yards in three games off the practice squad, but hopes to make that roster push this season.
He ran a 4.61 40-yard dash in the 2022 NFL Draft, and drew interest as an undrafted free agent. Azzanni likes his size and physicality, which fits with what the Steelers like to do on the outside in their wide receiver room.
Either way, it seemed likely that Johnson will end up on the practice squad once again with a solid start to the spring and praise from Azzanni.