DK Metcalf

WR · Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals · 60 graded snaps

Replacement

Metcalf flashed as an effective receiver and scored a touchdown, but two devastating perimeter holding penalties dragged his overall grade down to replacement level.

Receiving7046Run block4514

The full breakdown

Metcalf was productive in the passing game, earning a 70 receiving grade behind a 6-yard touchdown slant against outside leverage (Q3 02:48) and an 11-yard physical screen pickup (Q1 05:42). He also contributed as a route-runner by drawing a defensive holding penalty (Q2 01:57) and creating a clean first-down intermediate reception (Q4 07:02). However, his overall day was severely undercut by a poor 45 run-blocking grade driven by two catastrophic holding penalties. The first wiped out an 11-yard rush (Q2 09:25), and the second nullified an 87-yard Jaylen Warren sprint down to the 5-yard line (Q4 07:39).

Strengths

Physicality through contact
Red-zone route winning
Separation on in-breakers

Weaknesses

Costly perimeter holding penalties
Sustaining clean stalk blocks

Plays that moved the grade

-2Q4 07:39, 1st & 10Flagged for offensive holding on a perimeter stalk block, wiping out an 87-yard Jaylen Warren run.
+1.5Q3 02:48, 3rd & 2Beat his defender inside on a sharp slant route and fought through contact across the goal line for a 6-yard touchdown.
-2Q2 09:25, 1st & 10Tossed and held the cornerback on the boundary, resulting in a 10-yard penalty that erased an 11-yard rush.

Every graded snap · 8 wins or losses, 52 routine

+1.5Q1 05:42 · 1 & 10 · ReceivingSecures the screen throw cleanly, follows his blocks into the alley, and uses his size and power to fight through contact for 11 yards and a first down.
+0.5Q2 10:16 · 1 & 10 · Run blockDrives Turner off the line and maintains outside positioning to keep the boundary lane clear.
-2Q2 09:25 · 1 & 10 · Run blockEngages the cornerback on the perimeter but egregiously holds onto his jersey and turns him, drawing a 10-yard offensive holding penalty.
+0.5Q2 02:23 · 1 & 10 · ReceivingPushes vertical outside, clearing out the perimeter coverage to open up the underneath space for Freiermuth.
+1Q2 01:57 · 2 & 10 · ReceivingSnaps off an outside comeback route at the PIT 46 and draws a clear defensive holding flag against Tacario Davis.
+1.5Q3 02:48 · 3 & 2 · ReceivingSnaps off a sharp slant route against Hill's outside leverage, wins immediate inside position, secures the pass, and powers through contact across the goal line.
-2Q4 07:39 · 1 & 10 · Run block

DK Metcalf's season grades →