The never-ending news on Antonio Brown won't stop even when the Steelers have eventually dealt him to another team. But the looming question that comes with his pending departure is whether 22-year-old JuJu Smith-Schuster is ready to take his place as the Steelers' No. 1 receiver.
Brown does so many things right with his game that it seems nobody, let alone a player coming off his second season, could come close to replacing him. But Smith-Schuster is a lot further along than many might believe.
Before we get into the reasons why Smith-Schuster is ready, I'm going to address the most common counter-argument to the notion that he could be the Number 1 receiver: Brown was so good at his job that he opened up opportunities for Smith-Schuster, and is also partly responsible for his success.
First, this argument is true. Brown regularly drew double-and-triple-teams from defenses that opened up the field for other playmakers. But saying this without acknowledging Smith-Schuster taking advantage of those opportunities skips a major point.
A perfect example would be the Steelers' longest play of the season, and what tied for the longest passing play in team history. Smith-Schuster's 99-yard touchdown reception from Ben Roethlisberger against the Broncos was the perfect mix of a defense doubling Brown and Smith-Schuster showing all the right moves.
The Broncos called Cover 1, a man defense with one safety overtop that relies on aggressive cornerback play. The safety rotates immediately to Brown's side of the field, leaving Smith-Schuster alone with Bradley Roby. Roby knows he has to maintain inside leverage and force Smith-Schuster to the sideline, but Smith-Schuster knows that, too, and he uses good footwork combined with a well-timed slap of the hands to break open to the middle of the field:
So yes, Brown does open up that opportunity for Smith-Schuster, but there's no doubt that the young receiver can create on his own. Smith-Schuster frequently beat some of the NFL's top talents at cornerback in 2018.
The top example was his eight catches for 108 yards against the Jaguars. He went up against Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye and came up huge in key moments. One of those was beating Ramsey's press coverage for a 26-yard completion on a back shoulder pass from Roethlisberger.
Ramsey won't give up inside leverage like Roby did, so Smith-Schuster has to find a more challenging way to beat him. Watch the top of the screen as he gets off the line quickly and clears Ramsey's hands. Once he has Ramsey running, he has to high-point the ball while bending backwards and cradling the pass while staying in bounds:
Remember those layers to Brown's game I mentioned earlier? That play is a perfect example of how a receiver can put all those details together to become an elite threat.
But what makes him the most ready for the top spot is his mental approach. Smith-Schuster is a student of the game and is always looking at what concepts defenses deploy and how he can best counter them. That's where Brown excelled for the Steelers as he scorched defenses for years by changing his option routes to find the open spots on the field.
Smith-Schuster does this a lot as well, making small adjustments to routes at the right times. Watch how he makes his slant deeper on third down to pick up the conversion instead of taking a shallower route against the Chargers. The adjustment is slight, but it perfectly fits between his blocks to clear the space needed to extend the drive:
Smith-Schuster's 1,426 yards led the team, and, combined with his seven touchdowns, made him a breakout player. He has the talent and the football IQ to develop into one of the NFL's most elite receivers, but he has to do more than just that.
The Steelers, now more than ever, need a leader to emerge in the receiver group. Brown was only a leader in his work ethic and his play on the field. He was never the charismatic player that could rally a receiver group like Hines Ward did for years.
Smith-Schuster has the profile to become a leader with his early success. What may become his greatest challenge is stepping into a role that he hasn't had the advantage to shadow in his two years in the NFL. But with the likely exit of Brown and the likelihood the Steelers are going to add other young receivers to this group, now would be the time for him to become the centerpiece Mike Tomlin can build around.
It's time the Steelers have their best players be their best leaders again. Smith-Schuster may have to be both for the next generation of this team.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends Final Grades
Each game was graded on this scale:
Had a big play or a decent game 
Very impressive, multiple big plays
Elite performance
Gave up a big play without redemption 
Total performance was a disappointment
Horrible, inexcusable
If a player was average or unremarkable, they received no mark for that game. We have tallied all their performances to see who was the top of the class.
Valedictorian: Antonio Brown
First quarter: 7 0 4 Games
Second quarter:110 4 Games
Third quarter:100 4 Games
Fourth quarter:51 3 Games
Final marks: 331 A+
Best game: Week 16 at Saints
Worst game: Week 14 at Raiders
I know, it's ironic to call Brown a valedictorian after all that's happened, but he was the Steelers' best player in 2018. His recognition of how to beat coverages combined with his insane playmaking abilities made him the biggest threat on the field. Even when teams over-committed to stopping him, he would rip them apart. Watch how he beats the Saints' Marshon Lattimore off the press and the safety overtop to give Roethlisberger the perfect target:
That's the ultimate nightmare for any secondary. If he leaves the Steelers, it's a huge hole in the offense that will need to be filled. The attention he required of defenses forced them to risk single coverage against Smith-Schuster and opened up the box for the run game.
Brown does so many of the little things right, like his clean release and the subtle steps to freeze cornerbacks in his routes, combined with the big things like making amazing sideline grabs, that make him the elite player he's become. While all the drama off the field is a huge problem, this evaluation focuses on his contributions on the field.
And on the field, he's the best in the NFL.
JuJu Smith-Schuster
First quarter: 6 0 4 Games
Second quarter:80 4 Games
Third quarter:90 4 Games
Fourth quarter:50 4 Games
Final marks: 280 A
Best game: Week 12 at Broncos
Worst game: Week 4 vs. Ravens
Smith-Schuster's rookie year was impressive, but his sophomore season was truly a breakout. His 1,426 yards and seven touchdowns made the Steelers' passing attack a true two-headed monster. We just went over the ways he's getting better, but in 2018 he made as big of a leap as any player on the roster. He just has to be ready to be the guy that defenses key on every week.
James Washington
First quarter: 0 0 4 Games
Second quarter:01 3 Games
Third quarter:12 3 Games
Fourth quarter:51 4 Games
Final marks: 6 4 C
Best game: Week 15 vs Patriots
Worst game: Week 14 at Raiders
Washington had a rough start to the season. Though he scored in the second game of the year, he didn't show any of his big-play ability until the final quarter of the season. Washington's reputation has been for his ability to go up and get combat catches. Roethlisberger had a hard time building a connection with Washington to make that happen most of the season, mostly because of Washington missing on routes and being unsure of how to counter different coverages.
What made the difference was how he started to work multiple factors into his game. Instead of just running his route or just trying to win a jump ball, he learned how to better influence defenders with his footwork. Watch how he set up Bengals cornerback KeiVerae Russell with the out-and-up move in the Steelers final game. Notice how he sells the out and turns upfield exactly when Russell has bit on the move:
If he continues to incorporate more facets to his game at the NFL level, he will become the receiver the Steelers need him to become.
Ryan Switzer
First quarter: 1 0 4 Games
Second quarter:12 4 Games
Third quarter:20 4 Games
Fourth quarter:02 4 Games
Final marks: 44 C-
Best game: Week 12 at Broncos
Worst game: Week 8 vs. Browns
Ryan Switzer is exactly what the Steelers traded a fifth-round pick for: A decent slot receiver who can help on returns. He's not going to break open any games, but he can make the tough catches over the middle and use his quickness to pick at weak spots when defenses are focused on the Steelers' stars.
His play was like a better version of a younger Eli Rogers. If Switzer hangs around to develop a rapport with Roethlisberger like Rogers did, he could prove even more useful as a slot option for Randy Fichtner and the offense.
Justin Hunter
First quarter: 00 1 Game
Second quarter:01 3 Games
Third quarter:00 1 Game
Fourth quarter:00 4 Games
Final marks: 01 D-
Best game: Week 6 at Bengals
Worst game: Week 8 vs Browns
Justin Hunter was brought back to be the veteran that Washington would compete against for snaps. He quickly proved he wasn't a real improvement over the rookie and quickly dropped in the depth chart. The one saving grace that prevented him from receiving a failing grade was how he did improve on some of his routes to help the team.
A few times he would run nicely executed rub routes to clear space for other receivers. The biggest moment was when he cleared space for Brown on the game-winning touchdown reception in week 6 at Cincinnati.
But a few rubs does not a good receiver make, and Hunter shouldn't be back next season unless the Steelers are desperate.
Eli Rogers
First quarter: 0 0 0 Games
Second quarter:00 0 Games
Third quarter:00 0 Games
Fourth quarter:20 3 Games
Final marks: 20 C+
Best game: Week 15 vs. Patriots
Worst game: Week 16 at Saints
Rogers came back from a brutal knee injury suffered in the Steelers' 2017 playoff game and eventually became available late in the season. He poses very few threats to defenses outside of his connection with Roethlisberger. He fights for extra yards and knows how to get open when Roethlisberger is extending plays. Though he only played three games, he made a positive impact in two of them, both of which the Steelers won.
If he's back in 2019, it will most likely be to challenge Switzer for the depth-chart slot option.
Note: I’ve excluded Darrius Heyward-Bey, though he had an offensive snap in all but two games, his total snap count was so minimal he never had a chance to be graded based on good or bad performances. He's been a staff favorite of the Steelers for being a veteran who can contribute on special teams, but that cannot be his saving grace much longer, if at all.
Vance McDonald
First quarter: 2 1 3 Games
Second quarter:40 4 Games
Third quarter:41 4 Games
Fourth quarter:30 4 Games
Final marks: 132 B
Best game: Week 3 at Buccaneers
Worst game: Week 13 vs. Chargers
Vance McDonald was the third-best weapon for the Steelers' passing game. He still isn't the blocking threat that Heath Miller was, nor was he ever expected to be, but his threat as a receiver adds an extra layer to the offense.
He had one of the plays of the year for the Steelers when he broke the Buccaneers game open with the most vicious stiff arm of Chris Conte. That play was the first real bright spot of the season and it started an explosion of offense that led to the team's first win of 2018.
McDonald is a very good athlete and a serious threat at tight end. He needs to stay healthy to be part of the puzzle for the offense next year.
Jesse James
First quarter: 3 1 4 Games
Second quarter:10 4 Games
Third quarter:20 4 Games
Fourth quarter:00 4 Games
Final marks: 61 B-
Best game: Week 2 vs. Chiefs
Worst game: Week 1 at Browns
Backup tight end is the perfect spot for Jesse James. He's always been an adequate player that takes what's given to him and follows his assignments. He won't often beat defenders in tough situations, but when defenses are so focused on the other stars, he finds a way to contribute.
The Steelers should find a way to bring him back, if he can come at a reasonable price. McDonald's injury history suggests they might need a viable replacement. I see them possibly addressing the position in the draft or free agency, but having James would ensure that at least two players can start and not be a problem in 2019.
Xavier Grimble
First quarter: 0 0 4 Games
Second quarter:00 3 Games
Third quarter:03 4 Games
Fourth quarter:00 4 Games
Final marks: 03 F
Best game: Week 6 at Bengals
Worst game: Week 12 at Broncos
Xavier Grimble has been given every opportunity to become the playmaker that he flashes to be on rare occasions. He has the athleticism to catch high passes and beat defenders in space, but it's never come to fruition. Not only that, but he squandered his best opportunity all season when he fumbled at the 1 against the Broncos, forfeiting what should've been a tone-setting touchdown in a game the Steelers lost. That mistake is one on a long list of plays that cost the Steelers the playoffs, but it hangs pretty high.
Grimble is not under contract for 2019, and I wouldn't expect him to be unless he remains unsigned going into camp and the Steelers decide to bring him in to work.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends Final Grade: A-
First quarter average: A-
Second quarter average: A-
Third quarter average: A-
Fourth quarter average: B+
It's no secret that the Steelers' success in this department is top-heavy. Brown, Smith-Schuster and McDonald led the way without much support from the bench.
But their contributions were among the team's best across the board, and that made them one of the best groups on the team. The only group that rated as high was the offensive line, also with an A-, and both were key to the Steelers' biggest wins.
But with the looming loss of Brown, the top that drove this group becomes a lot lighter, and it may come time to balance out the entire unit with depth instead of looking for another potential superstar to play alongside Smith-Schuster.
Regardless of the Steelers' decision on Brown, this group will be a major focus in 2019. If Brown stays, how will the rest of the group react? If Brown leaves, Smith-Schuster will need to step up again, but in a much bigger way. Washington will need to make a huge leap, and the Steelers will need to make a serious move to find a viable threat as a third wide receiver.
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