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JuJu Smith-Schuster had a considerably disappointing season in 2020 regardless of catching 97 passes. That appears laborious to consider, however with no actual speeding manufacturing, the Pittsburgh Steelers used Smith-Schuster as an extension of the working recreation as Ben Roethlisberger peppered him with brief passes. Catching 97 balls and solely gaining 831 yards is hard. He did discover the tip zone 9 instances although, so ultimately, his PPR stats landed him WR16. We’ll delve into his 2021 projections right here.
To commemorate the 2021 NFL season, we’ll be counting down the 75 greatest fantasy football gamers within the league. Choosing a High 75 is subjective, particularly if you end up projecting a complete season of accrued fantasy factors, however that’s a part of the enjoyable. We’ll assume what I see as a mean league, which is 12 groups, .5 PPR scoring and a roster of 1QB, 2RB, 3WR, 1TE, & 1RB/WR/TE. Kickers and defenses needn’t apply.
Change is the character of the NFL beast, so trades and accidents will seemingly affect this checklist as we go alongside, however hey, this isn’t rocket science. We’re right here to have a little bit enjoyable and construct up some a lot wanted anticipation for a league solid within the shadow by baseball, soccer, hockey, and many others. Sarcasm apart, the NFL is addictive and we’re right here to offer your day by day repair as we shut in on the season.
The official and infrequently up to date fantasy soccer drafting tiers can be found here.
No. 73, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers, WR
Rating Smith-Schuster is hard to make certain. The excellent news is that Roethlisberger goes to him in strain conditions. He tied Eric Ebron for the group lead in pink zone targets and was way more environment friendly. In the long run he ought to get loads of alternatives, however there will likely be loads of competitors.
Competitors for touches
Final season Smith-Schuster was second on the group in targets with 128 to Diontae Johnson’s 144. chase Claypool got here in at 109 and Ebron was fourth with 91. These 4 ought to stay the highest targets, however the offense will strive to not lean on the cross fairly as a lot this season. The addition of rookie working again Najee Harris will enhance an anemic run recreation and will be capable to take a number of the strain off of Roethlisberger’s outdated arm. That in all probability means fewer targets to go round, however must also result in extra effectivity per goal.
Group offensive expectations
There actually is little question that the Steelers will run the ball extra so long as Harris is wholesome. Their offensive line isn’t nice, however Harris will assist the road out as effectively. Final season the Steelers had a league worst 3.6 yards per carry, however when James Conner was wholesome, he went for 4.3 yards per carry. Not nice, however the uptick in means on the place will assist.
In the long run, a lot will depend upon Roethlisberger’s arm. His arm energy deteriorated because the season went on. He did have main elbow surgical procedure the season earlier than so possibly one other yr faraway from the surgical procedure will assist, however it additionally might simply be that his age and accidents are catching as much as him. It doesn’t matter what although, an improved run recreation ought to assist the offense not be so one-dimensional.
What’s his upside?
Smith-Schuster’s upside needs to be increased this season than final, as he hopes for use extra on the skin and his depth of goal needs to be increased. The cliche that the run recreation units up the passing recreation isn’t at all times right, however for the Steelers and Smith-Schuster, the run recreation ought to enable him to get targets additional down the sphere. Add in his excessive utilization within the red-zone and he might see fewer receptions, however a lot increased yardage in 2021.
What’s his draw back?
If Roethlisberger’s arm energy doesn’t recuperate this season, the passing recreation might take a fair larger hit than it did final season. And if the working recreation is hampered by a lower than superb offensive line, effectivity would take one other hit. However ultimately, I count on the same season to final yr, at the least in fantasy factors for the TikTok star.
Projection
80 receptions, 115 targets, 950 yards, 8 touchdowns
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