The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2017 NFL Draft class looked like a fantastic one a year ago. The rosy sheen was worn off some in the wake of a 2019 season that was marred significantly due to injuries. While first-round pick T.J. Watt made a run at the Defensive Player of the Year Award, JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner both stalled because they couldn’t stay on the field, and the offense suffered significantly without their Pro Bowl skill position players performing at their best.
Despite the down year for Smith-Schuster, however, which was also very much a result of Ben Roethlisberger’s absence, Pro Football Focus still believes he is one of the young offensive players in the league who is most deserving of receiving an early payday before he hits the open market, which would not be until next year.