JuJu Smith-Schuster

The NFL season kicks in under one week, as the Baltimore Ravens are set to take on the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, and Andy Reid has clarified the status of Samaje Perine, Juju Smith-Schuster, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Hollywood Brown. Both Perine and Smith-Schuster are recent additions with Perine being claimed off of waivers from the Denver Broncos and Smith-Schuster signing off the street earlier this week, but they are both acclimated and available to take snaps in needed on Thursday against the Ravens. Unfortunately for Hollywood Brown, the shoulder injury he suffered week one of the preseason will keep him out of week one of the regular season. Clyde Edwards-Helaire was placed on the NFI list and will miss at least the first four games to start the season.

Perine projects to compete for back up running back touches with Carson Steele, but the veteran has a lot of experience in both catching out of the backfield and pass protection. It’s entirely possible Perine carves out a role similar to what Jerick McKinnon used to bring the team ,but don’t count on that right out of the gate. As for Smith-Schuster, his familiarity with the offense is a plus as far as getting him up to speed goes, but still don’t expect his snap counts to be substantial unless the Chiefs receivers get decimated by injuries.

Brown suffered a dislocated sternoclavicular shoulder joint in the Chiefs week one preseason game and was originally slated to miss 4-6 weeks. The Chiefs opening game comes just shy of four weeks from the initial injury so his lack of availability at the moment should come as no surprise. Weeks two and three however become interesting and will be worth monitoring. Luckily for Brown and the Chiefs, they get 10 days to rest up for their week two game. Brown’s absence gives an immediate boost to Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice as both have chemistry already built with Patrick Mahomes and he can lean on both as Xavier Worthy grows and Holloywood Brown works his way back.

Following an unsuccessful year in New England and subsequent release by the Patriots, JuJu Smith-Smith has reunited with the Kansas City Chiefs. Injuries derailed JuJu’s Patriots tenure allowing him to only appear in 11 games and starting 7 of them. Even in limited playing time he wasn’t effective at all totaling 29 receptions on 47 targets for 260 yards and touchdown. Injuries have been the reason for a roller coaster career for Smith-Schuster but he was a solid option for Patrick Mahomes in 2022 when he caught 78 passes on 102 targets for 933 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Despite finding success in Kansas City somewhat recently, don’t expect Smith-Schuster to provide any fantasy value unless the Chiefs suffer a multitude of injuries. Even if everything goes perfectly for him he will still be behind Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Hollywood Brown when he returns. He may be worth a pick up in dynasty if you have a deep bench but that’s it. His familiarity with the system definitely helps, but overall this shouldn’t be viewed as a needle moving transaction.

With offseason organized team activities beginning across the NFL this week, incoming rookies are finally getting the chance to prove themselves against veteran players. For the New England Patriots, newcomers such as Drake Maye — the franchise’s hopeful quarterback of the future — and wide receivers Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker will have an opportunity to make a big first impression on their new boss.

Although Maye and Polk, in particular, were both high draft choices selected within the top 40, it sounds like they’ll have to earn the trust of Jerod Mayo in order to earn themselves a role come September. When discussing the receivers’ room specifically, Mayo said, “It’s a wide-open competition. We have some young bulls, we have some older players, we have guys who are really unproven, so this is an opportunity for them to really get a leg up, going forward.” Mayo also made it clear that the absence of presumptive starter Kendrick Bourne — still recovering from a torn ACL sustained during a Week 8 loss to the Miami Dolphins last season — will undoubtedly open up opportunities for both Polk and Baker, among others.

Although New England attacked its pressing needs on offense during the draft, this is still a group you will want to avoid in fantasy. While Bourne (when healthy) merits consideration as a FLEX option in deeper formats, it’s still unknown as to who the signal-caller in Foxborough will be come Week 1. Maye will certainly elevate the ceiling of the Patriots’ wideouts once he enters the fold, but the timing is still unknown. Until then, Polk and Baker can be seen as mid-to-late-round dynasty assets, while Bourne and second-year man DeMario Douglas are safer short-term bets with Brissett under center.

Juju Smith-Schuster is headed to the Injured Reserve and will miss the remainder of the 2023 season with an ankle injury.

Smith-Schuster struggled to stay healthy in his first season with the Patriots, missing 3 games so far. Smith-Schuster is currently the WR90 and will finish the 2023 season with 29 receptions for 260 yards and 1 touchdown. A fitting end to a disappointing season for Juju in first year with the Patriots.

Devante Parker and Demario “pop” Douglas will continue to lead the Patriots receivers for the remainder of the season regular season. Douglas should have the most upside and can be used this week as a WR3/Flex play in some of the more deeper leagues.

Just like in Week 15, JuJu Smith-Schuster is set to sit out this week’s contest against the Chiefs due to an ankle injury. Smith-Schuster was limited in practice this week but failed to appear in Friday’s practice. Should the veteran receiver increase his practice sessions to full next maybe he will have a chance to play in Week 17.

With Smith-Schuster’s absence, look for Demario Douglas to benefit most with additional targets in Week 16. Douglas has been the best wide receiver in this offense this season when healthy. Douglas should be considered a WR4/WR5 and only be inserted into lineups in deeper formats due to a difficult match up this week versus the Broncos’ secondary.