Tennessee Vols: Steelers Depot Makes Roster Prediction For Justin Hunter

Former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Justin Hunter’s NFL career hasn’t went as smooth as many expected.

It’s hard to believe, but this season will be former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Justin Hunter’s fifth in the league.

Hunter, who was drafted in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, is hoping to land a spot on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 53-man roster.

But it won’t be an easy road for Hunter, who has also spent time with the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills.

Hunter had high expectations when he left Tennessee a year early, but he’s never enjoyed success in the NFL. His best season came with the Titans in 2014, when he caught 28 passes for 498 yards and three touchdowns — not exactly the kind of production you’re hoping to get out a high second round pick.

Last season, Hunter played in 12 games for the Bills and caught only 10 passes for for 189 yards. It’s easy to see why Buffalo didn’t keep the former Vol on the roster.

Hunter, who will turn 26 years old on May 20, still has great speed and size, but his inability to go across the middle of the field, combined with his drop issues, has prevented him from being a solid pro wide receiver.

If Hunter wants to stick with the Steelers, he has to prove he can stretch the field. Pittsburgh loves to throw the ball down the field, but they already have Martavis Bryant and Sammie Coates on the roster. It could be hard for Hunter to make an impact on a crowded depth chart.

Steelers Depot, one of the most popular Steelers blogs around, doesn’t think Hunter will make Pittsburgh’s 53-man roster in 2017.

What’s particularly telling is that Steelers Depot has the team keeping seven wide receivers.

Here’s who they have making the Steelers’ roster:

Antonio Brown
Martavis Bryant
Sammie Coates
Eli Rogers
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Darrius Heyward-Bey
Demarcus Ayers

Most teams typically keep six wide receivers. If the general feeling is that Hunter isn’t even among the top seven wide receivers on the roster, then that’s obviously not good news for him.

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Hunter can make the Steelers’ roster. He has the talent — he’s always had the talent. But he’s going to have a very large uphill battle in front of him.

The former Vol needs to have the best training camp of his life in order to latch on to the Steelers’ 53-man roster.

Otherwise, Hunter might once again be looking for a new home.

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