Week 2 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
JuJu Smith-Schuster got off to a strong start last week against Cleveland, catching five passes for 119 yards on eight targets (in the rain). One of those catches was a 67-yard catch-and-run. Smith-Schuster could get more opportunities this week against a very soft Kansas City defense. He should be a very solid start at home this week as a No. 2 fantasy receiver with WR1 potential.
Week 1 at Cleveland Browns
JuJu Smith-Schuster wasn't a factor in last year's season-opening win by the Steelers in Cleveland. But he caught nine passes for 143 yards and a touchdown in the rematch with Landry Jones subbing for a resting Ben Roethlisberger in the rematch. Smith-Schuster should get plenty of action in this one, as well. Cleveland will key on Antonio Brown with Le'Veon Bell out. That could mean plenty of one-on-one matchups for Smith-Schuster. Expect Smith-Schuster to be a very solid No. 2 start this week with plenty of touchdown upside.
Fantasy Upside
With Martavis Bryant gone, JuJu Smith-Schuster moves into an unquestioned No. 2 role in the Steelers passing game this season. He's coming off a strong rookie season that ended with 58 catches for 917 yards and seven scores (on 80 targets). He should go over 100 targets this season, so a 1,000-yard season is certainly in the offing.
Fantasy Downside
Antonio Brown and LeVeon Bell are going to get 150+ and 100 targets, respectively, as well, so Smith-Schuster's ceiling is limited.
2018 Bottom Line
While his ceiling is limited, his floor is high in this offense. Brown and Bell are going to get plenty of attention and that means a lot of one-on-one matchups for the second-year receiver. He also did his damage last season after getting just eight targets in the first four games. In the second half of the season, he averaged eight targets and 98 yards receiving. There are going to be some slow games, to be sure. But he's a very solid WR3 with WR2 upside thanks to his ability to score. His current ADP has him going in rounds four or five, which might be a little high for my taste on a player with limited upside, but again, the floor also is high.
Divisional Round vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
When these two teams met back in Week 5, JuJu Smith-Schuster wasn't much of a factor yet, though he did have 4 catches for 58 yards. He's been an even bigger part of the offense in the second half of the season and will be a matchup nightmare in the slot for the Jaguars. He should produce enough in this game to make him worthy of WR2 consideration.
Week 17 vs. Cleveland Browns
JuJu Smith-Schuster had 6 receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown last week and is now tied for the rookie lead among receivers with 6 TD receptions. Even with Landry Jones at quarterback, Smith-Schuster should get enough work this week against a soft Cleveland pass defense to be useful as a WR3 this week.
Week 16 at Houston Texans
JuJu Smith-Schuster stepped into a more prominent role with Antonio Brown out after just one quarter last week and caught 6 passes for 114 yards. But 69 of those yards came on 1 catch. With Brown out this week, Smith-Schuster should get plenty of targets, enough to be no worse than a WR2 against a struggling Houston secondary that just allowed 3 touchdowns to Jacksonville's receivers.
Week 15 vs. New England Patriots
Coming off a one-game suspension for a helmet-to-helmet block—that's a first—JuJu Smith-Schuster should be more than ready for action this week. The Patriots just allowed 3 touchdown catches to Miami's receivers, and Ben Roethlisberger is red hot. Smith-Schuster is a solid start as a WR3.
Week 13 at Cincinnati Bengals
After sitting out last week with a hamstring injury, JuJu Smith-Schuster will be back this week and should find some usefulness working out of the slot. He had just 2 receptions for 39 yards in the first meeting with the Bengals this season but he did get into the end zone. Smith-Schuster should be useful as a low-end WR3 or high-end FLEX play this week.
Week 12 vs. Green Bay Packers
JuJu Smith-Schuster hauled in 4 passes for 47 yards last week in a relatively quiet week for this year's top rookie receiver. He's dealing with a minor hamstring injury, but it shouldn't keep him out of this game. The rookie just celebrated his 21st birthday on Wednesday and will be looking to add another TD celebration, as well. The Packers have given up 10 WR touchdown passes this season, and with Antonio Brown getting so much attention, Smith-Schuster gets plenty of one-on-one looks. He's a solid WR3 play.
Week 11 vs. Tennessee Titans
JuJu Smith-Schuster followed up his big day in Detroit before the bye with a solid line of 5-97-1. He has emerged as the best rookie receiver in this year's class and is looking like a much bigger part of the offense moving forward. He saw 7 targets last week, which should be the norm for him. That makes him a solid WR3 play.
