[ad_1]
ESPN just lately printed a listing of “good free agent matches for all 32 NFL groups” and listed a large receiver as the right match for the Arizona Cardinals.
Pittsburgh Steelers large receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
The story, written by Pro Football Focus’ Seth Galina, speculated that Smith-Schuster “would possibly do wonders” for the Cardinals and the large receiver.
Galina wrote: “The Cardinals want somebody who can work the center of the sector to take some warmth off No. 1 wideout DeAndre Hopkins. And that’s what JuJu’s sport is: the beneath center of the sector.”
Smith-Schuster is a slot receiver, nonetheless, and the Cardinals want extra of a real No. 2 large receiver behind DeAndre Hopkins.
Nonetheless, it might make for an fascinating match and supply quarterback Kyler Murray with one other weapon on offense.
Hat-gate:Kyler Murray’s cap at Suns game ‘creates stir’ for media, Cardinals fans
Smith-Schuster, 24, had 97 catches for 831 yards and 9 touchdowns final season and is ready to turn out to be a free agent this month.
Galina continued: “His sport fell off a bit in 2020, and it stays to be seen whether or not he generally is a true No. 1 receiver, however the magnificence is that he received’t should be the highest man in Arizona. Smith-Schuster posted an 81.8 PFF grade as Antonio Brown’s understudy in Pittsburgh in 2018, however that quantity fell to 63.1 in 2019 and 70.0 in 2020. Changing into a secondary possibility once more would possibly do wonders for each JuJu and the Cardinals within the make-or-break yr for the Kliff Kingsbury period.”
The ESPN story is not the one one to hyperlink Smith-Schuster to Arizona.
Steelersdepot.com wrote that Smith-Schuster signing with the Cardinals might definitely be a chance.
Dave Bryan wrote: “Whereas Smith-Schuster, who is anticipated to have a free agent market worth of round $17 million per yr if he stays unsigned these subsequent two weeks, definitely wish to stick with the Steelers this offseason, him finally signing with a staff out west and thus nearer to his dwelling state of California would definitely make loads of sense. May you think about Smith-Schuster enjoying reverse large receiver DeAndre Hopkins in Arizona? What a duo these two can be. Will the Cardinals be capable to afford Smith-Schuster in free company after signing defensive finish J.J. Watt earlier this week? I feel it’s definitely attainable from a wage cap perspective.”
Commerce?:Odell Beckham Jr. to Cardinals ‘makes sense’ according to analyst
Final month, Fansided’s Jim Koch wrote about how Smith-Schuster might tempt the Cardinals.
He wrote: “Pairing Smith-Schuster with a five-time Professional Bowler like Hopkins would give quarterback Kyler Murray two top-quality large receivers to work with. The good Larry Fitzgerald, a future Corridor of Famer, is now not among the many league’s finest and is mulling retirement. Youthful targets like Christian Kirk, Andy Isabella and KeeSean Johnson have but to carry out at a constant degree. Cardinals normal supervisor Steve Keim has lots on his plate this offseason. Buying a dependable receiver is only one of a laundry checklist of duties. Smith-Schuster might very properly be the reply for the pass-catcher dilemma.”
NFL rumors tweeted final month that the Cardinals have been “anticipated to make a push” for Smith-Schuster.
The Arizona Republic’s Bob McManaman listed Smith-Schuster amongst many potential large receiver targets for the Cardinals in free company.
He wrote: “Even when (Larry) Fitzgerald comes again and (Christian) Kirk has a contract yr for the ages, they nonetheless want a brand new No.2 large receiver to pair with Hopkins and this yr’s free-agent market is chock stuffed with them. Potential targets embrace Allen Robinson (Bears), Chris Godwin (Buccaneers), Kenny Golladay (Lions), Corey Davis (Titans), JuJu Smith-Schuster (Steelers), Will Fuller (Texans), Curtis Samuel (Panthers), and Marvin Jones Jr. (Lions).”
Fansided’s Aarron Van Buren had a completely different view from some others on Smith-Schuster’s potential slot in Arizona.
He wrote that the large receiver can be “a catastrophe with the Cardinals.”
He wrote: “Including Juju Smith-Schuster would destroy this staff from the within out, identical to he did in Pittsburgh. If Keim desires to maintain this constructive progress (albeit gradual) going, then he ought to keep away from Smith-Schuster and draft a younger large receiver as a substitute. I’ll take whoever that’s and Christian Kirk any day of the week as a substitute of JJS. However, Sammy Watkins, Curtis Samuel possibly even T.Y. Hilton are higher choices in free company. This staff can not afford to overlook the postseason in 2021, and if that does occur, huge change will happen throughout the group and who is aware of what occurs after that.”
Rumors:Deshaun Watson speculation returns for Cardinals after J.J. Watt signing
Curiously, Smith-Schuster, like Hopkins, tried to recruit J.J. Watt to Pittsburgh earlier than the defensive finish ended up signing with the Cardinals.
Hopkins, a former teammate of Watt’s, posted a photograph of Watt and himself in Cardinals uniforms final month with the caption: “Let’s end what we began.”
Smith-Schuster responded to Hopkins’ publish with the message: “Come play together with your brothers.”
Watt’s brothers Derek and T.J. are presently on Smith-Schuster’s staff, the Steelers.
May Smith-Schuster now find yourself becoming a member of J.J. Watt and Hopkins in Arizona?
[ad_2]
Source link
