Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster joined “The Fantasy Footballers” podcast for a live, celebrity, fantasy football draft that included Zac Efron, Karl Anthony-Towns, and gaming personality Ninja.
Sitting at pick No. 7 with bluechip running backs off the board, Smith-Schuster had a decision to make; Houston Texans’ DeAndre Hopkins or himself?
Despite Smith-Schuster solidification as a No. 1 receiver in the Steelers’ offense, he went with Hopkins as his first-round pick. The hosts of the award-winning podcast proceeded to freak out on-air, in disbelief that he’d take another receiver over himself.
As their Jason Moore said, “If Hopkins is the right pick on fantasy cheat sheets, maybe this is just his [Smith-Schuster] competitive spirit saying, ‘I’m gonna win no matter what, everywhere.'”
Most would agree with Schuster’s pick. While the Steelers receiver is entering his third-year and poised to breakout (once again), Hopkins is widely considered to be the top option for receivers in fantasy football.
FantasyPros.com gives Hopkins a fifth overall average draft position, which is tops for all receivers. Smith-Schuster stands at 18th, as he’s ranked as the seventh-best fantasy receiver.
In 2018, Smith-Schuster went to the Pro-Bowl, as he tallied 111 receptions for 1,428 yards and seven scores. Hopkins also earned a Pro-Bowl nod, and a first-team All-Pro one by recording 115 receptions for 1,572 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Statistically, it makes sense for Smith-Schuster to pick Hopkins over himself; no matter how enticing it may be to select and live up to his own first-round fantasy draft status. Now, as Moore would say, Smith-Schuster is vying to “win no matter what.” With Hopkins on-board, that’s possible.
