Pittsburgh Steelers: Top 5 wide receivers from the 2010s

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders #10 of the Denver Broncos talks with wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 and wide receiver Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers as players warm up before a game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 25, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

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Pittsburgh Steelers, JuJu Smith-Schuster (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

3. JuJu Smith-Schuster (2017-Present)

Admittedly, Smith-Schuster fell flat in his first season without Brown. However, there’s still hope he rebounds in 2020 and assumes a leading role in Pittsburgh’s receiving corps.

The Steelers selected Smith-Schuster in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Entering the 2016 college football season, most analysts believed Smith-Schuster would hear his name called in the first round. Some even thought he’d be the top receiver taken. However, a disappointing junior season sent the USC product tumbling out of the first round.

As a rookie, Smith-Schuster assumed a massive role in Pittsburgh’s offense. He caught 58 passes for 917 yards and seven touchdowns, surpassing Martavis Bryant on the depth chart. Only Le’Veon Bell and Brown accounted for more yards from scrimmage than Smith-Schuster.

In his second season, Smith-Schuster flashed incredible potential. As Big Ben threw for over 5,000 yards, the second-year receiver amassed more receptions (111) and receiving yards (1,426) than Brown. Smith-Schuster also made the Pro Bowl.

Unfortunately, the budding young star came crashing back down to Earth last season, setting career-lows with 42 receptions, 552 yards, and three touchdowns. Entering the fourth and final season of his rookie contract, even if Smith-Schuster performs well, he might not return to the Steelers.

Pittsburgh recently used second-round picks on Chase Claypool and James Washington while investing a third-round pick in Diontae Johnson. With those three players on cheap rookie deals and Smith-Schuster playing for an extension, it’s less expensive for the Steelers to let the former Pro Bowler walk in free agency while focusing on the three less experienced players. Smith-Schuster is 23 years old.

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