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Projecting the top 10 slot receivers for the 2019 NFL season(JuJu is number 2)

Steelersfan43

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2.JuJu Smith-Schuster

Well, I think this pretty much gives away which side of the debate my model comes down on regarding Smith-Schuster's impact without Antonio Brown on the field. Last season, Smith-Schuster was one of only six total receivers to see over 400 snaps aligned in the slot. (Pro Football Focus counts 421 total snaps out of the slot, tied for fourth most in the NFL, which was good for 61.5 percent of his snaps.) My model projects him to be used on the outside more, but I still project between 56 percent and 60 percent of his snaps will come from the slot, based on his success in 2018. Smith-Schuster undoubtedly benefited from playing with Brown last season, but the seven-time Pro Bowler (who was traded to Oakland this offseason) also benefited from playing with Smith-Schuster, who earned 660 yards after the catch in 2018, most among receivers. Here's some more context: Using computer vision, I tracked how often opposing defenders entered a "halo" 6-feet in diameter around each receiver last season, and Smith-Schuster faced pressure (defenders in his halo) at the seventh-highest rate. In other words, while Smith-Schuster will undoubtedly face an adjustment this season, there are some key indicators that he will continue to have a top-level impact, like his ability to earn tough yards after the catch and withstand an already significant amount of defensive attention, even when Brown was still on his team. Fantasy-wise, Smith-Schuster is my No. 7 projected wideout (in PPR formats).

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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...-for-the-2019-nfl-season?campaign=Twitter_atn
 
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