3 reasons why JuJu Smith-Schuster is the best receiver the Steelers could ask for

He reminds me so much of my favorite football player of all time.

I grew up watching Hines Ward smiling as he was destroying defensive backs, and even linebackers, with his physicality. Hines Ward did a lot of work with JuJu Smith-Schuster in his rookie training camp and I seriously could not build a more perfect player to mold JuJu’s game towards. They are both possession receivers, even though I would have to say JuJu is a little faster, who excel at making contested catches and are incredible blockers. I have never seen a wide receiver who could block as good as Hines Ward and JuJu is as close as I have seen anybody get to Ward in that regard.

While the league is becoming more flashy, with social media, personal branding, and hilarious touchdown celebrations I believe JuJu has a lot of throwback in his game. I have never had an issue with the league trying to make things more fun, like with the celebrations. I have never had an issue with players finding ways to use their platform to build a brand out of themselves as well. After all, a football player’s career could end on any given play. I believe having an active presence in social media makes it a lot easier for a player to engage with a fan base, and help promote various charitable causes as well. If you haven’t heard of it, go to JuJu’s Instagram page. He has used his own branding to get his own cereal which donates a portion of the proceeds to JuJu Foundation.

JuJu fits a lot of what the league is becoming outside of the whistles. However, between the whistles, I see an old school wide receiver that isn’t afraid to do the dirty work. He is so strong and it is easily noticed when you watch him put guys like Vontaze Burfict on their butts while blocking. You see him make contested catches one on one against guys like Jalen Ramsey. He is an electric playmaker in big moments. Don’t forget he is in a tie with Bobby Bell (97 yard run against the Bears in 1949) with two 97 yard touchdown catches for the longest offensive play in Steelers history. With those two catches, he has the 2 longest touchdown receptions in Steelers history, with the previous longest being held by a 95-yard touchdown reception by Mike Wallace against the Cardinals in 2011.