JuJu Smith-Schuster is clearly the Steelers’ No. 1 target now that Antonio Brown is generating angst (and … frostbite?) in Oakland. So, who’s poised to generate bigger receiving numbers in AB’s absence?
Football Outsiders’ KUBIAK projection system offers some hints. KUBIAK forecasts player performance based on projected role, performance over the past two seasons, quality of the player’s offense and opposition, strength of schedule, and historical comparables. Smith-Schuster (1,325 projected receiving yards) is by far the leader of the pack. After that, it’s Donte Moncrief (740 yards), tight end Vance McDonald (668), James Washington (633) and Diontae Johnson (378 yards).