JuJu Smith-Schuster: ‘Finally’ Steelers Used 1st-Round Pick on Offensive Player

Steelers extensive receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was joyful to see his staff add to the offense within the first spherical of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Since Smith-Schuster was the staff’s second-round choose in 2017, the Steelers had used their first-round choose on protection three straight occasions, drafting security Terrell Edmunds in 2018, linebacker Devin Bush in 2019 and buying and selling their first-round choose for security Minkah Fitzpatrick in 2020.

The final offensive participant the staff took with a first-round choose was guard David DeCastro in 2012. The final time it was a skill-position participant? All the best way again to Rashard Mendenhall in 2008.
So when head coach Mike Tomlin known as Smith-Schuster on Thursday evening to let him know who the staff was going to take, it obtained an enthusiastic response from the star Pittsburgh extensive receiver.

“Coach T really known as me about it, informed me to achieve out to [Harris], and I informed Coach T, ‘Lastly, you drafted an offensive participant within the first spherical,’” Smith-Schuster mentioned to CBS on Monday. “As a result of our protection, there’s at the very least eight to 10 first-rounders there.”

Smith-Schuster additionally mentioned he sees the versatile Harris being match for the staff and will change the offense for the higher.

“I believe he alters it tremendously,” Smith-Schuster mentioned. “You already know, we misplaced a teammate in James Conner. And (Najee’s) a man that’s been on the large stage.”