Who Should I Start? JuJu Smith-Schuster or Hunter Renfrow

Thursday, May 2, 2:33 PM

Starting next month, the New England Patriots could cut wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster at a cost of $9.6 million in dead money and no salary cap relief, per Over the Cap, while releasing him before then would incur $2.6 million more in dead money and take a small chunk out of their league-leading $54 million cap room. If the Pats traded Smith-Schuster after June 1, they'd save almost $7 million in cap space and clear room for their young receivers to see more playing time. New England could prioritize playing time for rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, plus 2023 sixth-rounder Demario Douglas. It all means that Smith-Schuster may no longer be the team's No. 2 receiver, especially with Kendrick Bourne and K.J. Osborn also on the roster.

Wednesday, March 13, 12:10 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders are releasing wide receiver Hunter Renfrow when the new league year begins later on Wednesday, according to a source. Renfrow was to count $13.7 million against the 2024 salary cap. Along with Renfrow, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is being released, as expected. The move to cut Renfrow saves the Raiders $8.21 million in cap space this year. The 28-year-old veteran had a career year in 2021 by catching 103 passes for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns, but he had just 61 combined receptions for 585 yards and two touchdowns in 27 games the last two years, making him an easy salary cap casualty this year. Depending on what other additions Vegas makes at the receiver position, Tre Tucker currently stands to benefit as the team's No. 3 wideout with the subtraction of Renfrow, behind top receivers Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers.