JuJu Smith-Schuster

Despite a near-perfect environment, JuJu rarely flashed a high ceiling with the Chiefs last year. At 27, it’s quite possible his best ball is behind him.
Still, his 2023 landing spot looks ripe for another 100+ targets. That’s what gives him some fantasy juice as a low-end WR3/FLEX.
What We Learned Last YearPlaying on a one-year deal, JuJu delivered OK results with Kansas City. He finished as the PPR WR27.He led Chiefs WRs in targets (101), catches (78), and yards (933).Smith-Schuster tallied only five top-24 fantasy weeks; three inside the top-12 (PPR).He scored 35.1% of his PPR points in a three-game stretch around midseason.He missed time in August with a knee injury and suffered his 4th documented concussion in Week 10. That cost him one game.Among 84 WRs with 50+ targets, JuJu ranked fourth in catch rate, 53rd in yards per catch, 35th in yards per route run, and 11th in yards after catch per reception.What to Expect in 2023New England signed Smith-Schuster to a 3-year deal with $16 million guaranteed. He replaces current Raiders WR Jakobi Meyers, who leaves behind 96 targets (14 games).The Pats also added a big slot target in Mike Gesicki, who wasn’t a fit in Miami’s 2022 offense. He posted only 52 targets (fewest since his rookie year) but carries the upside for more in ‘23.New England didn’t make any other significant moves on offense. They’ll look for more out of second-year deep threat Tyquan Thornton. Round 6 rookie WR Kayshon Boutte is more of a project.New OC Bill O’Brien arrives as an upgrade for this entire unit – but especially Mac Jones, whose play dipped in 2022. We ultimately expect a balanced offense, far from a pass-happy approach.Smith-Schuster missed all of spring workouts due to the knee injury he suffered in last year's AFC Championship Game.

Smith-Schuster signed with the Patriots as a de facto Jakobi Meyers replacement after a one-year stop in Kansas City last season. The veteran receiver ended up a respectable 27th in fantasy points last season, but his usage and production were extremely volatile (nine weeks with single-digit fantasy points). On the plus side, his 76% catch rate ranked fourth at wide receiver and he was his usual productive self with the ball in his hands (5.8 RAC ranked seventh). The 26-year-old, who has a pair of top-20 fantasy campaigns on his resume, has a good shot to lead the Patriots' new-look, Bill O'Brien-led offense in targets this season. Smith-Schuster is a flex option with upside for more if QB Mac Jones gets back on track.