Who Should I Start? JuJu Smith-Schuster or Quentin Johnston

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.

Monday, January 8, 12:33 AM

Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Quentin Johnston made two catches against the Kansas City Chiefs backups in Week 18 to finally and mercifully end his tough rookie season. Johnston, who was drafted in the first round, ended up making just 38 catches for 431 yards and two touchdowns all year. In Week 18, he turned five targets into two catches for 17 yards. He'll be back for the 2024 season with a whole new coach and (likely) offensive coordinator, so it will be interesting to see if they will be able to turn around one of the biggest busts of the 2023 draft.