(Source https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/JuJu_Smith-Schuster_field_goal_attempt%2C_Jan_2019_5.jpg under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)
As we gear up to the start of the NFL season, Football Absurdity is going to bring you a comprehensive breakdown of every notable player that will be available in fantasy football drafts. When you don’t see us talking about Christine Michael or Mike Davis, don’t get mad at us for neglecting your favorite sleeper. Get mad at yourself for having bad taste in football players. We are only focusing on the top-rated players in standard scoring and points per game leagues.
With my player profiles, I’ve only decided to go back to look at their fantasy scoring for three years. I could show you lists from earlier, but most of the guys at the top are no longer in the league anymore. I’ve also added a chart for their usage over that time span. We will try to determine, based on those two factors, where the best wide receiver value lies.
Juju Smith-Schuster ADP and AAV
Current ADP: As of 06/27/2019
Standard: 6th among WRs, 17th overall
PPR: 6th among WRs, 16th overall
Juju Smith-Schuster Average Auction Value (AAV) $200 Budget: $44
Stats:
FANTASY SCORING — STANDARD
| Rank | Total Points | PPG Rank | PPG | |
| 2018 | 9 | 185.9 | 11 | 11.6 |
| 2017 | 18 | 133.7 | 12 | 9.6 |
| 2016 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
FANTASY SCORING — PPR
| Rank | Total Points | PPG Rank | PPG | |
| 2018 | 8 | 296.9 | 9 | 18.6 |
| 2017 | 23 | 191.7 | 18 | 13.7 |
| 2016 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
FANTASY USAGE
| Receptions | Receptions Per Game | Targets | Targets Per Game | |
| 2018 | 111 | 6.9 | 166 | 10.3 |
| 2017 | 58 | 4.1 | 79 | 5.6 |
| 2016 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Overview: Schuster seems poised to take the reigns as yet another Pittsburgh Steeler top fantasy receiving option. His WR1 numbers are expected to get a boost from the targets that now-departed Antonio Brown took away.
Strategy: Our Juju Smith-Schuster Auction Value ($200 Budget): $46
We like his value in the second round ADP and mid $40s AAV, here. If Juju finished in the top 5 WRs in 2019, would anyone really be surprised? Yet he is going a round later and $10-$15 less than the other guys with top 5 potential, just because Schuster has never done it before and pundits are afraid Antonio Brown’s departure will cause double coverage on Juju. Those points are both unfounded, Juju has only been in the league two years, and seems poised for that classic 3rd-year breakout in terms of both mental game and opportunity. Sure he’ll see more coverage, but veteran Ben Roethlisberger knows how to call the plays that beat the defense for his WR1, and Pittsburgh never seems to have trouble getting a WR2 out there to absorb defensive coverage. He might be the safest value in the second round.
Best Case Scenario: Schuster improves as expected and is a middle-of-the-first round fantasy pick in 2020.
Worst Case Scenario: Schuster takes half a season to adjust to the increased defensive pressure, then helps owners to a championship in the back end on the way to a low-end top 12 WR finish.
