Cleveland Browns NFL Draft Profile: Juju Smith-Schuster
By Joel W. Cade
John “Juju” Smith-Schuster was a standout wide receiver for the USC Trojans last season. A three-year starter, Smith-Schuster earned conference honors in every year he played. He was limited last season with a back injury. Like Coleman, his NFL.com draft profile projects him as a starter in the NFL.
Strengths: Juju Smith-Schuster is a big bodied receiver who uses his physical abilities to his advantage. At 6-foot-1, and 215 pounds, Smith-Schuster can use his body to block out defenders.
Per his NFL.com profile written by Lance Zierlein, he wins contested balls. He plays to his size and plays with good strength on the field. He has excellent body control. Most importantly, he is an excellent blocker in the run game. Run blocking is often overlooked in receivers but can be the difference between a small gain and a big play.
Weaknesses: As a professional, Smith-Schuster will need to work on gaining separation in his routes. He needs to learn to get open by running precise routes.
Part of the issue for Smith-Schuster is the lack of elite speed. His 4.54 40-yard dash was faster than he looks in game speed. Corners do not play him as a deep threat which forces the route running issue at the professional level.
His NFL comparison is Anquan Boldin. Both use their size and strength to play a physical game. Smith-Schuster could be a high-end possession or a number two receiver in the NFL.