Steelers star Antonio Brown. The third-round pick Alejandro Villanueva Jersey , however, is focused on forging his own path.The comparisons and serendipitous circumstances that link the two are almost too conspicuous to believe. But this “D.J.” isn’t actively going out of his way to be the next “AB.”As he walked off the field after completing his first official on-field NFL practice session, Johnson was predictably asked to give his thoughts about the ubiquitous comparisons between him and the perennial All-Pro receiver now with Oakland.“It’s a good thing, because he’s a great player,” Johnson said Friday. “Somebody I used to watch. I still look up to him. He’s a great player.“But I can only be myself only.”What the Steelers have been saying they expect of Johnson would be more than good enough — even if it falls short of the level Brown attained as the Steelers’ No. 1 receiver for most of the past decade.Brown was shipped off to the Raiders for third- and fifth-round draft picks in March after he’d publicly clashed with everyone from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to coach Mike Tomlin to Steelers President Art Rooney II since sitting out the final game of the 2018 season. That leaves a gaping, 114-catch-per-year hole of production on the offense. Brown had 686 receptions, 9,145 yards and 67 touchdowns from 2013 to 2018.By no means do the Steelers expect Johnson to make up for that by himself. But Johnson enters the NFL with a similar game and profile as Brown — and he was acquired as the headlining (if underwhelming) return in the trade of Brown.Johnson embraces the on-field similarities with Brown in regards to playing style: “route running, able to catch ball, get out of my breaks, able to run every route in the route tree.” But Johnson politely downplays expectations he can approach the superstar status Brown reached in Pittsburgh.“I’m just trying to come in and contribute and come in and do what I can do,” Johnson said. “Be myself and help out in any way that I can.”It might forever be difficult for Johnson to simply “be himself” with the Steelers, if only because many might always compare him to Brown. A look at the roster shows that about the only way Johnson doesn’t share a strong resemblance with Brown is uniform number. Johnson was wearing No. 18 at rookie minicamp; Brown’s former No. 84 was given to undrafted tight end Milan Richard.Brown stands 5-foot-10, 181 pounds. Johnson is listed at 5-10, 183.Brown went to Central Michigan, a Mid-American Conference school; Johnson starred at Toldeo John Stallworth Jersey , the Chippewas’ MAC rival.Over his final two college seasons, Brown had 2,096 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns in being voted all-MAC twice. Johnson, over his final two college seasons: 2,039 receiving yards, 25 touchdowns, two-time all-MAC.Each had great success as a punt and kick returner, too.Johnson might not be Brown but he’s already made an impression on his new teammates.“He has a lot of talent,” said cornerback Justin Layne, a player the Steelers took with another third-round pick. “Fast, quick guy. He is going to help us a lot.”Steelers fourth-round pick Benny Snell has gotten to know Johnson in recent months because they share the same agent and were roommates in Indianapolis at the combine in February.“Diontae is amazing,” said Snell, a running back from Kentucky. “He’s a cool guy, a cool dude — and he’s got some hands.”Johnson’s hands weren’t as much on display Friday as the Steelers likely hoped; he sat out portions of team drills, then deferred to coach Mike Tomlin, who was unavailable to media Friday Jordan Berry Jersey , for specifics about any injury. But he allowed that he was “fine.”For his rookie season, Johnson joins a receivers corps led by JuJu Smith-Schuster and also featuring veteran Donte Moncrief, second-year wideout James Washington, and slot specialists Eli Rogers and Ryan Switzer.Where Johnson falls into that pecking order in 2019 is a long way from being determined.“It’s exciting, being able to play football again,” Johnson said, “being able to run routes and catch balls and learn the plays.” Heading into the 2019 NFL Draft, the Steelers have 10 picks at their disposal. Therefore, moving up to find an impact player—and not moving down to acquire even more picks—is the only realistic trade option."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Latest NewsSteelers Film Room2018 NFL Draft AnalysisLatest NewsLatest News2019 NFL Draft AnalysisGoing up, not down, is the Steelers only trade option in the 2019 NFL DraftNew,67commentsHeading into the 2019 NFL Draft, the Steelers have 10 picks at their disposal. Therefore, moving up to find an impact player—and not moving down to acquire even more picks—is the only realistic trade option. EDTShareTweetShareShareGoing up, not down, is the Steelers only trade option in the 2019 NFL DraftTrevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY SportsEvery year David DeCastro Jersey , leading up to the NFL Draft, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert does his little dance with the media, where he says the team would not be opposed to trading up, trading down or standing pat (he almost always stands pat) in the first round.The theory this year is that Pittsburgh should absolutely try to trade up if one of the Devin’s—realistically, Michigan’s Devin Bush—slips far enough into the middle portion of the first round to make such a deal doable. I agree. I think most would agree that inside linebacker is the team’s biggest need, a need that may be addressed much more adequately with a 21-year old rookie with speed and upside than a going on 30-year old veteran just picked up in free agency who may be in the twilight of his career (Mark Barron).Nothing against Barron, who very-well could be a tremendous asset to the defense in 2019, but he doesn’t seem like much of an impact player these days. Does Bush? Nobody knows for certain, but that’s why they call the draft one giant crap-shoot. But the closer you get to the top ofthe first round, the greater the chance of finding an impact player, hence the desire to see the Steelers trade up to get a prospect such as Bush. And with 10 picks to use as trade ammo, why not get on the phone if Bush is in sight? How about trading down? Trading down, really, with 10 picks? In years past, when Pittsburgh was perhaps struggling in the draft capital department, the thought of trading down in the first round (or even out of the first round) and acquiring more picks seemed sensible. But with 10 this year Chukwuma Okorafor Jersey , that just seems unnecessary. It isn’t like the Browns of a two or three years ago, when 15 rookies made the team. The Steelers may have their struggles and their deficiencies and their weaknesses, but even after the departure of some very serious offensive production, Pittsburgh is still believed to be closer to a contender than a team about to blow it all up. Teams that are blowing things up want lots of rookies. Teams that are believed to be contenders don’t have room for many youngsters. True, by bringing more draft picks into camp, you increase the odds of finding some really good ones (I doubt even the Steelers believe they will break camp this summer with all 10 draft picks having made the team). But, again, by trading up in the first round, you increase the odds of finding a splash player. The last two times the Steelers traded up in the first round, it led to finding players who would be integral to future Super Bowl success. Everyone gets enamored with draft picks in the spring, but those Super Bowl victories in the winter are much more gratifying. The Steelers are probably going to stay true to their draft board and just stand pat on Thursday, but if there’s any thought of making a trade, up, not down, is the only way to go.