Steelers JuJu ranks in elite company of WRs before age 23

The Pittsburgh Steelers found a gem in JuJu Smith-Schuster. Here is how he ranks historically compared to other wide receivers by the age of 23.

There’s no question that Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is in the fast track to stardom, but many don’t realize just how fast that train is moving.

JuJu doesn’t even turn 23 years old until November 22nd, but already he is in elite company. Through his first two NFL seasons, Smith-Schuster has compiled 169 receptions, 2,343 receiving yards, and 14 touchdowns.

JuJu is one of the fastest players to ever reach this reception and yardage milestone by his age 23 season – slotting him ahead of players like Andre Johnson, Issac Bruce, and Jerry rice.

In fact, only a few receivers in NFL history have exploded for more receiving yards by their 23rd birthday. Just Randy Moss and Josh Gordon had more by the age of 23.

The Steelers will play 10 games this season before JuJu’s birthday, and he is just 383 receiving yards from surpassing Randy Moss for the most all-time by the age of 23.

JuJu still has a lot to prove, and he must do so without the assistance of Antonio Brown drawing coverage away from him. Smith-Schuster is the clear-cut number one option in Pittsburgh, and will have a chance to put his name in consideration with the leagues best receivers with a great showing this year.

Regardless of whether or not he has been a number one receiver so far, his accomplishments have been more than impressive. JuJu is already in elite company, and is one of the youngest receivers to ever reach the numbers he already has under his belt.

The Steelers were fortunate to have another great receiver on hand after being forced to trade Antonio Brown this offseason. JuJu is off to a much faster pace to start his NFL career than Brown (who had just 167 receiving yards to start his age 23 season).

Though it is still unlikely that JuJu will surpass a future Hall of Fame receiver like Antonio Brown in statistics in the long run, what he has been able to achieve at such a young age is more than impressive. He has an excellent chance to be youngest player to ever reach 3,000 receiving yards if he stays healthy in 2019.