JuJu Smith-Schuster is hitting free agency and is likely to leave the Steelers, so where in the NFL could the wide receiver land in 2021?
With wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster making his first career foray into NFL free agency, there was speculation about whether or not the Steelers would retain their young pass-catcher. As we inch closer to the start of the new league year, though, that’s looking less likely. On Monday, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that Smith-Schuster was telling teammates in Pittsburgh that he was “likely to head elsewhere” in the NFL.
Now apparently ripe for the picking on the free agency market, Smith-Schuster is a fascinating commodity. In 2018 as he worked primarily out of the slot teamed with Antonio Brown, he broke out as a star with 111 receptions, 1,426 yards and seven touchdowns. As the focal point of the offense, though, he’s struggled to match that with just 139 receptions for 1,383 yards and 12 scores over his last 28 games.
Any team relying on him to be a No. 1 wide receiver is misguided in what his skill-set represents. That said, JuJu Smith-Schuster can be a high-end complementary offensive weapon and will be paid handsomely, especially at just 24 years old. Which teams could pay him, though? We’re looking at landing spots for the wide receiver in 2021 NFL free agency.
Possible JuJu Smith-Schuster free agency landing spots
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Expected to draft Trevor Lawrence with the first-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Jaguars need some help in terms of the weaponry the Clemson product will be working with. DJ Chark has been fine but even he could possibly be traded this offseason. There’s a big hole at wide receiver.
This undoubtedly goes against the grain of not making Smith-Schuster a No. 1 option but, for a team in Jacksonville’s situation, that might work. It would work even better if they retain Chark as that’s a nice complementary duo that Lawrence could do damage with.
4. Los Angeles Chargers – The two things that lead to a match between the Chargers and JuJu Smith-Schuster are the uncertain future of Mike Williams and the departure of Hunter Henry to the Patriots in free agency. Los Angeles has their quarterback picture set with Justin Herbert but he needs weapons outside of Keenan Allen down the field.
Smith-Schuster and Allen could potentially operate in a similar manner to the way the former did with Brown in Pittsburgh. The route-running of Allen demands a certain level of attention from defenses, which would then allow JuJu to work freely in the slot.
3. New York Jets – Yes, the Jets have already signed Corey Davis in free agency, which is a great move for New York. But anyone who believes that New York only needed to add one wide receiver or pass-catcher this offseason is outside of their mind. This unit needs more help than most and they still have money to spend.
Smith-Schuster would be able to come onto the Jets roster and represent an upgrade in the Jamison Crowder possession-receiver role. He’s a much more versatile and dynamic player than Crowder and, as the Jets look to make a change at quarterback as well, a new signal-caller could do some nice work with Davis and Smith-Schuster.
2. Miami Dolphins – When you look at the Dolphins roster, there isn’t a player like JuJu Smith-Schuster present in the receiving corps. Miami’s pass-catchers are largely comprised of big-bodied players who have a specific skill-set that doesn’t necessarily lend to playing in the slot.
As mentioned, that’s where the free-agent wide receiver could come into play. Putting him on the inside of bigger players like DeVante Parker and Preston Williams would give Tua Tagovailoa a nice array of options in the passing game. Moreover, that situation would ultimately put Smith-Schuster in the role where he’s proven successful.
1. Las Vegas Raiders – With the news that JuJu Smith-Schuster is likely done in Pittsburgh, the team that has garnered the most buzz for the free-agent pass-catcher is the Las Vegas Raiders. The silver and black’s interest in him has long been rumored and that hasn’t changed at this point.
After drafting Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards last season, the Raiders hope they have a burner and a big-bodied target to work with. What they don’t have is a versatile slot weapon, a void Smith-Schuster could fill. It would make a ton of sense as Las Vegas hopes to make a jump.