4 wide receivers who could replace JuJu Smith-Schuster for Steelers
By Tommy Jaggi
Rashard Higgins
When you think about Rashard Higgins, there are no spectacular traits that stick out in your mind. He was an incredibly poor athlete coming out of the 2016 NFL Draft, and he’s never been more than Cleveland’s third option. However, Higgins is as tough as nails, and he would be a cheap candidate to replace JuJu Smith-Schuster in 2021.
Though he has never earned more than 53 targets in a season throughout his first five years in the league, Higgins has been remarkably efficient with his looks – catching 113 of 178 passes for 1,615 yards (14.3 yards per catch) and 11 touchdowns. Higgins is also coming off the best season of his NFL career in 2020. Starting 6 games and playing in 13, Higgins managed nearly 600 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns on 16.2 yards per catch.
In addition, Higgins was credited with 0 drops and had a 119.0 passer rating when targeted. He has just 4 combined drops over the past three years (36 games). Rashard Higgins might not have any special qualities or athletic traits, but he’s a gritty competitor who just finds a way to win at the catch point.