JuJu Smith-Schuster
27-Year-Old
Questionable
Injury Ankle
Est. Return 5/1/2024
2023 Receiving Stats
REC
29
YDS
260
TD
1
AVG
9.0
TAR
47
2024 Projections
2023 Fantasy Outlook
Smith-Schuster somewhat rehabbed his value with a one-year detour to Kansas City, putting up a 78-833-3 receiving line on 101 targets last year as a distant No. 2 to TE Travis Kelce's No. 1. The Patriots seem to like him for the big-slot role previously occupied by Jakobi Meyers, who departed for Las Vegas shortly before Smith-Schuster inked a three-year, $25.5 million deal with $16 million guaranteed at signing. That includes full guarantees on his base salaries for 2023 and 2024, meaning the 26-year-old likely will be a Patriot for at least two seasons. From a volume standpoint, he's well-positioned to exceed his targets from Kansas City, only without the benefit of QB Patrick Mahomes lifting his efficiency. A return to the production level from his early years in Pittsburgh remains highly unlikely, but it won't come as any surprise if Smith-Schuster catches 80 or 90 balls in a questionable New England offense led by third-year QB Mac Jones. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Lands on IR
The Patriots placed Smith-Schuster (ankle) on injured reserve Saturday.
ANALYSIS
With Smith-Schuster on IR and slated to miss the Patriots' final two games this season, DeVante Parker, Demario Douglas, Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton and Kayshon Boutte (illness, out this week) are in line to handle the team's WR duties in Weeks 17 and 18. Smith-Schuster thus finishes the 2023 campaign with a 29-260-1 line on 47 targets in 11 games.
With Smith-Schuster on IR and slated to miss the Patriots' final two games this season, DeVante Parker, Demario Douglas, Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton and Kayshon Boutte (illness, out this week) are in line to handle the team's WR duties in Weeks 17 and 18. Smith-Schuster thus finishes the 2023 campaign with a 29-260-1 line on 47 targets in 11 games.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do JuJu Smith-Schuster's 2023 advanced stats compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank.
The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Air Yards Per Game
30.7Air Yards Per Snap
0.76% Team Air Yards
8.8%% Team Targets
8.7%Avg Depth of Target
7.2 YdsCatch Rate
61.7%Drop Rate
4.3%Avg Yds After Catch
3.4% Targeted On Route
19.1%Avg Yds Per Route Run
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2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2023 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where JuJu Smith-Schuster lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
Detailed
Grouped
Side
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2023 JuJu Smith-Schuster Split Stats
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Measurables Review
View College Player Page
How do JuJu Smith-Schuster's measurables compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 1"Weight
215 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.54 secVertical Jump
32.5 inBroad Jump
120 inBench Press
15 repsHand Length
10.50 inArm Length
32.88 in
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Top possession role in peril?
Smith-Schuster's current role as the Patriots' No. 1 possession receiver is theoretically threatened by the potential signing of DeAndre Hopkins, who's slated to visit the team next week, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.
ANALYSIS
Smith-Schuster signed with the Patriots earlier this offseason as a possession complement to the speedier DeVante Parker atop the team's wideout depth chart. However, a Hopkins addition would naturally alter that equation, given the 2013 first-round pick's stellar track record as a master of contested catch scenarios and a highly trusted short- to-medium-range target. Smith-Schuster's offensive profile has developed in similar fashion in the last three seasons in particular, but there's no question Hopkins would immediately rise to the top of the depth chart were he to sign with New England.
Smith-Schuster signed with the Patriots earlier this offseason as a possession complement to the speedier DeVante Parker atop the team's wideout depth chart. However, a Hopkins addition would naturally alter that equation, given the 2013 first-round pick's stellar track record as a master of contested catch scenarios and a highly trusted short- to-medium-range target. Smith-Schuster's offensive profile has developed in similar fashion in the last three seasons in particular, but there's no question Hopkins would immediately rise to the top of the depth chart were he to sign with New England.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Joining forces with Patrick Mahomes is one thing; doing so a week before the Chiefs traded
their best receiver is another. And while Kansas City also signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling, the
former Packer won't match the volume Tyreek Hill saw last season (159 targets). That leaves
Smith-Schuster, still only 25, as the likely No. 2 option behind TE Travis Kelce, barring a fourth-
year leap from Mecole Hardman or a huge instant impact from second-round pick Skyy Moore.
Early success is a familiar subject for Smith-Schuster, who finished his rookie season (2017)
with 917 yards before jumping to 1,426 in Year 2. Since then, he's managed only 1,512 yards in
three seasons, averaging a mere 45.8 per game and missing 17 contests (five in 2019, 12 in
2021). The good news, besides his relative youth, is that Smith-Schuster's struggles were at
least somewhat a product of circumstances. With 4.54 speed, he's never been much of a deep
threat, but in his first two seasons there were occasional shots downfield and plenty of
intermediate looks, while the last two years saw his aDOT sink to 5.5 (2020) and 6.5 (2021).
The Steelers turned him into a pure possession/slot guy, adjusting to poor O-line play and a
veteran QB with declining arm strength. Neither of those things is a problem now for Smith-
Schuster, who hopes to restore his value with a one-year, incentive-laden contract.
More Fantasy News
Third straight absence Week 17
Smith-Schuster (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bills.
ANALYSIS
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Not practicing Friday
Smith-Schuster (ankle) wasn't present for Friday's practice, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
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Not practicing Thursday
Smith-Schuster (ankle) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
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Logs limited practice
Smith-Schuster (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
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Won't play Sunday
Smith-Schuster (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
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