The Steelers found a gem when they drafted JuJu Smith-Schuster in the 2nd round of the 2017 draft. Here is how he ranks among the top 32 NFL receivers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are widely regarded for their ability to draft quality wide receivers. Since the days of Hines Ward, they have never been without a Pro Bowl, All-Pro, or Super Bowl MVP receiver on their roster.
From Ward to Santonio Holmes, to Mike Wallace to Antonio Brown, the Steelers have had very good receivers on their rosters for 20 years. Now the torch is being passed to JuJu Smith-Schuster.
JuJu has already proven to be a quality football player by the young age of 22, and still has his best years ahead of him. Here is how I have him ranked compared to the top 32 receivers in the National Football League:
| Tier 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Julio Jones | ATL |
| 2 | DeAndre Hopkins | HOU |
| 3 | Tyreek Hill | KC |
| 4 | Odell Beckham | NYG |
| 5 | Michael Thomas | NO |
| 6 | Antonio Brown | PIT |
| Tier 2 | ||
| 7 | Amari Cooper | DAL |
| 8 | Mike Evans | TB |
| 9 | Davante Adams | GB |
| 10 | Adam Thielen | MIN |
| 11 | Brandin Cooks | LA |
| 12 | Julian Edelman | NE |
| 13 | Stefon Diggs | MIN |
| 14 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | PIT |
| 15 | Keenan Allen | LAC |
| 16 | T.Y. Hilton | IND |
| 17 | Robert Woods | LA |
| 18 | Tyler Lockett | SEA |
| Tier 3 | ||
| 19 | Kenny Golladay | DET |
| 20 | Tyler Boyd | CIN |
| 21 | Jarvis Landry | CLE |
| 22 | Chris Godwin | TB |
| 23 | D.J. Moore | CAR |
| 24 | Corey Davis | TEN |
| 25 | Josh Gordon | NE |
| 26 | Alshon Jeffery | PHI |
| 27 | Allen Robinson | CHI |
| 28 | Emmanuel Sanders | DEN |
| 29 | Larry Fitzgerald | ARI |
| 30 | Robby Anderson | NYJ |
| 31 | Calvin Ridley | ATL |
| 32 | DeSean Jackson | TB |
Right now, I am being cautious about not ranking JuJu too high on this list. 14th overall is a remarkable place to be for a 22-year old receiver, and he obviously has a chance to elevate himself much higher than this with a good year without Antonio Brown opposite of him.
There is a strong case to be made for each player above him. Though JuJu was 5th in the league in receiving yards, he had A.B. drawing coverage away, and Ben Roethlisberger threw the ball more than any quarterback in the league last year.
Most of the receivers above JuJu on this list were the number one receivers on their team last season. JuJu, on the other hand, didn’t typically face the opposing teams’ best cornerback.
JuJu’s accomplishments, however, have been quite impressive. The former USC product has 169 catches for 2,343 yards and 14 touchdowns in his first two NFL seasons. He is on a remarkable pace, and has a chance to produce even better next season with Brown no longer with the team.
Smith-Schuster possesses the toughness, body control, and run after the catch ability to be a true number one receiver in this league. Though I have him ranked just 14th right now, I think Smith-Schuster could be looking at the top of my tier 2 receivers by the end of the 2019 season.
There are a lot of very good wide receivers in the NFL, and plenty of them didn’t even make this list. It will be up to JuJu to lead the Steelers receiving game this season and prove why his name belongs among the best wide receivers in the National Football League.