JuJu Smith-Schuster – stock: down
JuJu has struggled to get things going in 2019 with just one 100-plus yard game. That game came last week against a bad Miami defense.
JuJu had one play that stood out against the Colts, and that was a drop on a very catch-able ball that was deflected right into a waiting defender’s arms. Donte Moncrief got dragged for his in the same situation, and we must stay consistent in condemning bad plays like that.
Now, JuJu is obviously better than Moncrief, but that is all the more reason for the young star not to let plays like that happen. He has a knack for the big play, but this was one big play that could have been avoided by making the catch for the first down.
JuJu is still adjusting to being the number one receiver after the previous holder of that spot was dealt away. So far, no one else is stepping up like JuJu did in 2017 and 2018 as the number two to help open things up.
James Washington did have a solid game today catching all four of his targets for 69 yards. This included two spectacular displays of concentration on great catches.
JuJu is still a great receiver but needs more of what Washington did today to help take at least some of the focus away from him. If that can happen, they may just have games where their running back is not their leading receiver.