Could JuJu Smith-Schuster Solve Giants' Receiver Dilemma?

WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

Current Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 215 lbs.
Experience: 6 seasons (5 with Steelers, 1 with Chiefs)
School: USC (2014-2016)
Giants Current Cap Space: $44,089,480

Arguably the New York Giants’ biggest weakness on offense last season was their shallow receiving corps.

In all fairness, injuries were a major factor in their ineffectiveness. Veteran Sterling Shepard and rookie Wan’Dale Robinson, arguably the two best options, both tore their ACLs to end their respective seasons.

But while Isaiah Hodgins was a fun late-season addition, it's a stretch to say he's a true number-one option. The same could be said of Darius Slayton, a homegrown draft pick and unrestricted free-agent-to-be who could stretch the field but never quite cross into No. 1 receiver status for various reasons, including ill-timed dropped passes.

Regardless of who the quarterback is, the team needs to find receivers. Unfortunately, the wide receiver market in free agency is very weak, with few high-impact options available.

One of those few options is JuJu Smith-Schuster, perhaps the most proven receiver out there.

RELATED: Giants Re-sign WR Isaiah Hodgins

Why He’d Be A Fit

Smith-Schuster signed a one-year “prove it” deal with the Chiefs, and he was an important presence on the field. With the loss of Tyreek Hill in the previous offseason, Smith-Schuster was one of many receivers who not only helped the Chiefs fill that void but who also contributed to the team's Super Bowl victory.

Smith-Schuster was often Patrick Mahomes’s No. 2 and provided very solid numbers. Catching 78 balls, Juju racked up 933 receiving yards and scored three touchdowns, averaging 12 yards per catch and dropping only three balls.

The 2022 season was a return to form for the 26-year-old. After an impressive rookie season that saw him average almost 16 yards per catch, Smith-Schuster had his best season in 2018.

That year with Pittsburgh, Smith-Schuster caught 111 passes for 1,426 yards, averaged 12.8 yards per reception, and scored seven touchdowns. In 2020, Smith-Schuster caught 97 passes for 831 yards and a career-best nine touchdowns while catching 77 percent of his pass targets.

After struggling in 2021, Smith-Schuster bounced back with his change of scenery. He had the best reception percentage of his career by catching 80.4 percent of his pass targets while taking advantage of numerous incentives in his contract that provided very little base value but rewarded him for his availability and solid play.

Smith-Schuster may not have the highest ceiling or the pedigree of a true No. 1 guy; even in his best season, the Steelers had Antonio Brown in his prime, and the Chiefs’ primary receiver last year was tight end Travis Kelce. But the Giants need a consistent playmaker to help take some defensive attention off the running game and the other receivers.

Drawbacks

There was a reason why Smith-Schuster had to sign a “prove it” deal. His final season in Pittsburgh was a very difficult one. Smith-Schuster was mediocre, playing in only five games due to a shoulder injury. Perhaps his ineffectiveness that year was due to the rapid decline of the since-retired Ben Roethlisberger. On the other hand, perhaps his success this year could be attributed to Patrick Mahomes, who had an MVP season.

One drawback to bringing in Smith-Schuster is his occasional maturity lapses on social media. In 2020, when he began using TikTok, his videos often had him dancing on opposing midfield logos, an action that is generally frowned upon.

Upon doing it to the playoff-bound Buffalo Bills and the division rival Cincinnati Bengals, both teams were angered and successfully used these actions as extra motivation, with the Cincinnati game, in particular, featuring Smith-Schuster losing a fumble after taking a highlight-reel hit from Vonn Bell. These responses from opponents effectively forced the Steelers' hand in seeking to get the distracting and immature behavior to stop.

Smith-Schuster also displayed poor sportsmanship following the Super Bowl. On Valentine’s Day, he shared a Valentine’s Day card from NFL Memes that mocked Eagles defensive back James Bradberry, who was penalized for holding Smith-Schuster in a game-changing moment during the Super Bowl.

Smith-Schuster's action prompted Eagles star receiver A.J. Brown to come to his teammate’s defense.

Again, there are far worse behaviors exhibited by other players that would be of greater concern, but the point is the Giants locker room is built on professionalism. Head coach Brian Daboll has also meticulously minimized all and any distractions. While he could easily nip any social media shenanigans in the bud, the underlying link to maturity is certainly something to consider.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Smith-Schuster would certainly be an upgrade to what the Giants currently have at wide receiver. But if the Giants desire to bring him into the fold, they should look for a reasonable deal.

Currently, Smith-Schuster’s market value on Spotrac is $14.6 million APY. With all the other needs the Giants have to address, would they be willing to splurge on a potential No. 1 receiver in free agency, or might they look to fill that role via the draft on a cheaper rookie contract?

Get the latest breaking news and analysis on the New York Giants
Follow and like us on Facebook
Submit your questions for our mailbag
Check out the Giants Country YouTube Channel.
Subscribe and like the LockedOn Giants YouTube Channel
Sign up for our FREE message board forums
Get your Giants tickets from SI Tickets!