Fantasy managers were so full of optimism this summer for Odell Beckham Jr. and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Beckham ended up on the Cleveland Browns after a trade from the New York Giants, most people believing the quarterback upgrade was so enticing. Smith-Schuster ended up as presumably the top Pittsburgh Steelers option after Antonio Brown was traded to the Oakland Raiders. Things should have been great for these fellows, which is why fantasy managers made them the Nos. 6 and 7 wide receivers in ESPN average live drafts -- second-round choices with upside.
Neither will enter Week 11 among the top 25 wide receivers in fantasy this season, either in overall scoring at the position or on a per-game basis, and fantasy managers are, to say the least, frustrated.
The Browns and Steelers prepare to meet for the first time this season on Thursday night, and these top wide receivers are underperforming based on any reasonable expectations. Beckham, who caught five passes for 57 yards in Sunday's surprise win over the Buffalo Bills, boasts one top-10 finish at his position this season, and he scored his lone touchdown in Week 2. Smith-Schuster's team also won on Sunday, topping the Los Angeles Rams, but he contributed little with three catches for 44 yards. Smith-Schuster boasts three touchdowns but a pace for fewer than 70 catches this season, after hauling in 111 last season.
First things first: