With the Steelers receiver set to test free agency, these five teams seem like the best fit for Smith-Schuster in 2022.
JuJu Smith-Schuster has had one of the more interesting career arcs. He started off as one of the hottest rookie receivers in the league and followed that up with a dominant second season.
A focus on short passes and a move to the slot has slowed down his career pace, and now he will likely be looking for a new home to rekindle the spark he had early in his career. Set to enter free agency again this offseason, here are the five teams that make the most sense for Smith-Schuster.
A Lions free agency target
The Lions are one of the more exciting bad teams in the NFL. While 2021 was abysmal in terms of their record, the team and the city seem to have a lot of faith in Matt Campbell and the future. While things won’t clear up right away, there is a chance that Detroit takes some steps forward this offseason. One such move that could help them achieve that is signing Smith-Schuster in free agency.
While Amon-Ra St. Brown already occupies the slot receiver role, Smith-Schuster could fill in at the Z position as he did during his first two seasons with the Steelers. That would give the Lions two capable and sure-handed receivers for whoever is throwing passes there next season. Adding Smith-Schuster doesn’t fix the offensive problems this team has, but it sets them up to have a more stable receiving core in 2022 and beyond.
A Patriots free-agency target
The Patriots were a surprise this season, as Mac Jones and the slew of free-agent additions from the last offseason instantly made an impact on the team. While New England got decent production from their receiving core, adding a better top option would make the entire unit better.
With Nelson Agholor a potential cap casualty, the Patriots may have space to accommodate Smith-Schuster.
He would instantly fit in next to Kendrick Bourne and Jakobi Meyers to form a physical trio of top guys. Better yet, each could be used interchangeably by position, as each could fill in as a slot receiver or on the outside. Both Myers and Bourne did well with the Patriots last season and adding a top target would take the pressure off of them.
With Jones not wanting to throw constant bombs down the field, adding another physical target like Smith-Schuster makes sense. He can be a reliable safety valve for Jones and help him develop into a better quarterback. While having another physical receiver is a little repetitive in this offense, Smith-Schuster fits what the Patriots want to do on offense.
A Falcons free agency target
The Falcons are in a really weird spot as a whole. Despite some notable names all over this roster, Atlanta is constantly struggling to field a winning team. Similar to last year, this team has a slew of question marks and needs, and with limited cap space to go around, some fat will have to be trimmed. This will likely lead to some new faces on this team and a potential rebuild that seems long past overdue.
Smith-Schuster fits in here because he is still young enough to weather a rebuild. He can step in on day one and be a team’s top target. This would allow the Falcons to field an offense with potentially a new quarterback who would already have at least two stable targets in Smith-Schuster and Kyle Pitts. Add in the unknown nature of Calvin Ridley and this passing offense could be an appealing one for any quarterback in the league.
In all honesty, giving an offense with Pitts at tight end and Smith-Schuster at receiver would be difficult to cover. Both can attack the middle of the field and are dependable possession options. While the Falcons would still have to fill out the rest of their roster, Smith-Schuster would usher in the rebuild for this team. He and Pitts would be a potent combo for any quarterback to work with.
A Chiefs free agency target
One of the most linked pairings for this upcoming free agency, the Chiefs reportedly offered Smith-Schuster a deal for more money last offseason before he re-signed with the Steelers. Now, the two could be yet another match as the Chiefs will be once again looking to find a capable receiver besides Tyreek Hill. With Byron Pringle a pending free agent, the Chiefs may look to grab a potential upgrade.
While Hill is the definition of a deep threat with elite speed, Smith-Schuster could present a more physical option to move the chains. While he lacks the speed that Hill and even Mecole Hardman have, he has the tendency to make the tough catches and push forward to move the chains. It would be yet another weapon for Patrick Mahomes to work with.
Similar to him and Pitts, having an offense featuring Travis Kelce and Smith-Schuster would be a matchup nightmare as both can do a lot of damage if not the defensive focus. Add in Hill’s game-breaking ability and the Chiefs become that much harder to defend. Smith-Schuster makes a lot of sense here, and no one would be shocked if he signed here in free agency. That said, there is one team that makes more sense.
A Bills free agency target
There isn’t a team that could use a player like Smith-Schuster more right now than the Bills. With Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders not locks to return, the Bills could look to add another name to their receiving room for Josh Allen. There may not be a better fit than Smith-Schuster, as he would be the perfect complement to this receiving room.
Smith-Schuster does some of his best work when he isn’t the traditional number one target. That was evident when both he and Antonio Brown worked well with each other in 2018 as both took the pressure off the other. The Bills have that compliment in Stefon Diggs, as he will take coverage off of Smith-Schuster and vice versa. Add in the deep threat element of Gabriel Davis and this would be a well-built receiving core for Buffalo.
Frankly, I expect to hear some of these rumors heat up as free agency gets closer. Smith-Schuster would be that gritty, over the middle target while Diggs and Davis would dominate on the outside. Josh Allen would have his choice of target on any given play, making a great offense that much more potent. This pairing makes a lot of sense, as both the Bills and Smith-Schuster would benefit from joining each other.
While Smith-Schuster isn’t the biggest name to hit free agency this offseason, he should have a few suitors for his services. While there is a chance he stays with the Steelers, most signs point to him departing. Assuming he does, these five teams make the most sense for the young receiver.