Fantasy Football: Who will have more production in 2019? James Conner or JuJu Smith-Schuster?

The other night on the BTSC ‘Steelers Preview’ podcast, you can hear the show below, asked myself and two co-hosts who we thought would have the better Fantasy Football season in 2019:

JuJu Smith-Schuster or James Conner?

Of course we got into a heated discussion on the topic, Bryan and Dave saying Smith-Schuster was the pick, whereas I stood by Conner as the player who would have the most production.

When you look at this question, there are a couple ways you can view it. First, you can see it strictly as a Fantasy Football question. Assuming you are talking about a traditional fantasy league, and not a daily league, it will be a tough task to decipher which of the two Steelers would be the better overall pick.

But if you don’t play fantasy football, you could still ponder the question of which player will have more success in the coming year. James Conner has yet to stay healthy for a full season, and JuJu Smith-Schuster has never been without Antonio Brown opposite him. In other words, both players have challenges awaiting in the upcoming season.

As I stated earlier, on the podcast I chose James Conner to be the more productive player, and let me explain why...

Many people, including my two co-hosts pointed to Conner’s injury history as a reason why they think Conner’s numbers won’t be as great. Next, they pointed to the running-back-by-committee approach which has been rumored and how that might take carries away from Conner.

All valid points, but while the by-committee approach would likely keep Conner healthy, Mike Tomlin loves his feature backs. He always has, and likely always will. When DeAngelo Williams was putting up great numbers while Le’Veon Bell served a suspension, Tomlin immediately turned to Bell upon his return, and Williams could have been a statue on the sideline and no one would have noticed.

The Steelers might lean on Jaylen Samuels and/or Benny Snell Jr. at times, but it is Conner’s job. On top of that, Conner is a do-it-all type of back. He won’t be substituted for during goalline situations, nor will he be removed on obvious passing downs. He is an every down back and a player who will see a lot of touches in 2019.

While I also think JuJu Smith-Schuster will have a great season, I see his overall production slipping a bit. Not that Smith-Schuster can’t do the job as a No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL, but it will be difficult for him to have over 1,400 receiving again unless someone like James Washington, Donte Moncrief or Diontae Johnson really break out and start to take some pressure off of Smith-Schuster.

Again, I see both players having great seasons, but between the two I’ll take Conner to be the more productive player in 2019, both in fantasy football and in overall production. What do you think? Who will have better production in 2019? Vote in the poll below and be sure to explain yourself in the comment section!