NFL Analysis Network

4 Early Potential Free Agency Destinations For Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster will be testing out the free-agent market for the second consecutive year. Last year he was met with a relatively cold market, as teams didn’t have as much money to spend because of the pandemic and a surplus of wide receivers being available.

This offseason, the free agent and draft classes aren’t nearly as deep and teams have money to spend. But, Smith-Schuster is coming off the most underwhelming season of his career and could struggle to drum up interest again.

The former second-round pick fell victim to the same thing his teammates did as the Steelers offense wasn’t explosive in Ben Roethlisberger’s final season as the starting quarterback. He also suffered a shoulder injury that knocked him out for all but five games in the regular season.

But, Smith-Schuster was able to return for the team’s playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs. That will put any worries about his health behind him, as he will be 100 percent ready to go for offseason workouts and the 2022 regular season. Showing he is healthy will improve his market as well.

Which teams could be in on the former USC Trojan? Here are four teams Smith-Schuster could potentially land with in free agency this offseason.

4. Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals are a great situation for any wide receiver to land. They helped rehab the value of A.J. Green during the 2021 season and could do the same for Juju Smith-Schuster in 2022.

The Cardinals could have a big void to fill behind DeAndre Hopkins this upcoming season. Green and Christian Kirk are both free agents, so they may be in the market for some wide receiver help. Tight end Zach Ertz is also a free agent, so the team needs pass catchers.

Smith-Schuster could help fill the void over the middle if Kirk and Ertz leave. Kirk was moved into the slot, where Smith-Schuster has thrived throughout his career and produced a career season in 2021.

Looking to get his career back on track, this could be the place for the former Trojan.

3. Atlanta Falcons

Whether or not the Atlanta Falcons decide to keep Calvin Ridley, the team needs to add some more wide receivers this offseason. It becomes an especially pressing need if Ridley is traded as we saw in 2021 after he stepped away to improve his mental health, how depleted Atlanta was at the position.

They need an upgrade on the perimeter, as Cordarrelle Patterson is also hitting free agency. While Patterson played a majority of his snaps at running back as the season wore on, he is another playmaker the offense could lose.

The only building block at the skill position that the Falcons have is tight end Kyle Pitts, who was selected No. 4 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Bringing in an experienced veteran such as Smith-Schuster would help take pressure off of him and give Matt Ryan a go-to target at wide receiver.

2. Indianapolis Colts

Arguably the No. 1 item on the to-do list for the Indianapolis Colts this offseason is bringing in some help at the wide receiver position. The Colts saw Michael Pittman Jr. emerge as a legitimate No. 1 option this season, but he needs some help behind him.

This would be a great landing spot for JuJu Smith-Schuster. His best seasons in the NFL came as the No. 2 behind Antonio Brown as the established No. 1 receiver. Ben Roethlisberger’s injuries and declining play were a reason that his stats dipped without Brown, but Smith-Schuster may just be better off in a No. 2 role.

The Colts can provide him that and there will be ample opportunities to get the ball into his hands. He would thrive working the underneath and middle opposite of Pittman, who will draw most of the attention from opposing defenses.

1. Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs fell short of their third straight Super Bowl appearance in large part because their offense stalled out in the second half of the AFC Championship game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Chiefs blew an 18-point lead as they fell apart in the second half.

Heading into the offseason, adding some pieces to the defense will be discussed. However, one of the underlying issues of the team is their No. 2 wide receiver spot. Behind Tyreek Hill, there isn’t much to count on consistently.

Demarcus Robinson, Mecole Hardman and Byron Pringle had their moments, but overall, didn’t step up consistently enough. Adding a legitimate No. 2 option at wide receiver will take this offense to another level.

JuJu Smith-Schuster would enable the Chiefs to move Travis Kelce around more freely as well. Andy Reid is one of the most innovative offensive minds in the NFL. Adding a weapon of Smith-Schuster’s caliber to Hill and Kelce could make them virtually unstoppable.

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