The Steelers will soon be looking to replace JuJu Smith-Schuster. Here are four NFL Draft prospects who could do the trick.
At this point, it’s no secret that JuJu Smith-Schuster will be on his way. Though the former USC wider receiver turned out to be an excellent pick by the Steelers, Pittsburgh won’t be able to offer him as much money as he will undoubtedly earn on the open market.
Fortunately, the Steelers are arguably the best team in the league at drafting and developing talent at the wide receiver position. Over the past four years alone, they have managed to land players like JuJu, James Washington, Diontae Johnson, and Chase Claypool on day two of the NFL Draft.
With Smith-Schuster preparing to leave in free agency, wide receiver could once again become an early need for Pittsburgh. Here are four NFL Draft prospects who could be ‘the next JuJu’ for the Steelers:
Amari Rodgers, Clemson
Here’s a player who is gradually starting to draw more buzz – especially after a solid performance at the Senior Bowl. Amari Rodgers is a 21-year-old receiver who is as tough as nails across the middle of the football field. This past year for the Clemson Tigers, Rodgers had a breakout campaign which included 77 catches for 1,020 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Rodgers was Trevor Lawrence’s go-to target for a reason, as he is a reliable option who can hang onto a pass over the middle and absorb the big hit. At just 5’9 1/2”, Rodgers is shorter than ideal, but he makes up for it with a muscular 211-pound frame and sheer toughness. As a slot replacement for JuJu, the Steelers don’t necessarily need a tall receiver, and so much of Rodgers’ game reminds me of Smith-Schuster. He would be a quality late day-two option.