JuJu Smith-Schuster is headed to New England, and for about the same price tag as the receiver he’ll replace.
Per reports, Smith-Schuster is signing a three-year deal worth $33 million, with slightly over two thirds of that guaranteed. Meyers yesterday agreed to a three-year deal worth $33 million, with slightly less than two thirds guaranteed.
They’re similar receivers. Both are chain-mover types with limited speed. (Meyers four years ago ran 4.63 at the combine, contributing to him not being drafted, and I think he’s probably a little faster than Smith-Schuster.)
They finished with similar stats last year. Meyers averaged 4.8 catches for 57 yards in 14 games, with 6 TDs. Smith-Schuster averaged 4.9 catches for 58 yards in 16 games with Kansas City, with 3 TDs. If we’re using PPR scoring, that ranks those guys 30th and 34th among wide receivers among those who started at least half the time.
Smith-Schuster’s most notable work with Kansas City came in the Super Bowl. He was a key factor in the second half, when that offense came to life. In the final two quarters, he caught all 6 passes thrown his way, for 48 yards. And it was Smith-Schuster who breaking free to the end zone in the final two minutes, causing the game-deciding holding call.
Smith-Schuster will start for New England, but I don’t see him putting up big-time numbers or being their No. 1 guy. I think they’ll still be adding somebody else.
| WIDE RECEIVERS, PER-START PRODUCTION | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | St | No | Yds | Run | TD | PPR |
| Cooper Kupp, LAR | 9 | 8.3 | 90.2 | 5.8 | .78 | 22.6 |
| Justin Jefferson, Min. | 17 | 7.5 | 106.4 | 1.4 | .55 | 21.6 |
| JaMarr Chase, Cin. | 12 | 7.3 | 87.2 | .7 | .75 | 20.5 |
| Tyreek Hill, Mia. | 17 | 7.0 | 100.6 | 1.9 | .47 | 20.1 |
| Stefon Diggs, Buff. | 16 | 6.8 | 89.3 | -.2 | .69 | 19.8 |
| Davante Adams, L.V. | 17 | 5.9 | 89.2 | -.1 | .82 | 19.7 |
| A.J. Brown, Phil. | 17 | 5.2 | 88.0 | .0 | .65 | 17.9 |
| CeeDee Lamb, Dall. | 17 | 6.3 | 79.9 | 2.8 | .53 | 17.7 |
| DeAndre Hopkins, Ari. | 9 | 7.1 | 79.7 | .0 | .33 | 17.1 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown, Det. | 16 | 6.6 | 72.6 | 5.9 | .38 | 16.7 |
| Keenan Allen, LAC | 10 | 6.6 | 75.2 | .8 | .40 | 16.6 |
| Christian Watson, G.B. | 9 | 3.7 | 61.9 | 7.6 | .89 | 15.9 |
| Jaylen Waddle, Mia. | 17 | 4.4 | 79.8 | 1.5 | .47 | 15.4 |
| Chris Godwin, T.B. | 15 | 6.9 | 68.2 | .3 | .22 | 15.1 |
| DeVonta Smith, Phil. | 17 | 5.6 | 70.4 | .0 | .41 | 15.1 |
| Tyler Lockett, Sea. | 16 | 5.3 | 64.6 | .0 | .56 | 15.1 |
| Mike Evans, T.B. | 15 | 5.1 | 74.9 | .0 | .40 | 15.0 |
| Tee Higgins, Cin. | 15 | 4.9 | 68.6 | .0 | .49 | 14.7 |
| Amari Cooper, Cle. | 17 | 4.6 | 68.2 | .0 | .53 | 14.6 |
| Christian Kirk, Jac. | 17 | 4.9 | 65.2 | .6 | .47 | 14.3 |
| Garrett Wilson, NYJ | 15 | 5.2 | 69.5 | .3 | .27 | 13.8 |
| Michael Pittman, Ind. | 16 | 6.2 | 57.8 | 1.9 | .25 | 13.7 |
| Jerry Jeudy, Den. | 15 | 4.5 | 64.8 | 2.7 | .40 | 13.6 |
| Mike Williams, LAC | 13 | 4.8 | 68.8 | .0 | .31 | 13.6 |
| DK Metcalf, Sea. | 17 | 5.3 | 61.6 | .0 | .35 | 13.6 |
| Brandon Aiyuk, S.F. | 17 | 4.6 | 59.7 | 1.4 | .47 | 13.5 |
| Chris Olave, N.O. | 15 | 4.8 | 69.5 | .0 | .29 | 13.5 |
| Terry McLaurin, Was. | 17 | 4.5 | 70.1 | 1.7 | .29 | 13.5 |
| Deebo Samuel, S.F. | 13 | 4.3 | 48.6 | 17.8 | .38 | 13.3 |
| Jakobi Meyers, N.E. | 14 | 4.8 | 57.4 | -.8 | .45 | 13.2 |
| Marquise Brown, Ari. | 12 | 5.6 | 59.1 | .1 | .25 | 13.0 |
| Zay Jones, Jac. | 16 | 5.1 | 51.4 | 1.1 | .33 | 12.4 |
| Richie James, NYG | 9 | 5.0 | 49.0 | .7 | .33 | 12.0 |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster, K.C. | 16 | 4.9 | 58.3 | .0 | .19 | 11.8 |
| DJ Moore, Car. | 17 | 3.7 | 52.2 | 3.1 | .41 | 11.7 |
| Jahan Dotson, Was. | 11 | 3.1 | 46.3 | -.6 | .67 | 11.7 |
| Allen Lazard, G.B. | 15 | 4.0 | 52.5 | .0 | .40 | 11.7 |
| Gabe Davis, Buff. | 15 | 3.2 | 55.7 | .0 | .47 | 11.6 |
| Brandin Cooks, Hou. | 13 | 4.4 | 53.8 | .5 | .23 | 11.2 |
| Russell Gage, T.B. | 10 | 4.6 | 39.0 | .0 | .43 | 11.1 |
—Ian Allan