New England Patriots: JuJu Smith-Schuster needs to be big in 2023
When you think about the New England Patriots offense in 2022, a few words come to mind.
Disgusting is one word to define the Patriots offense. Feeble would be another good adjective to describe the way the offense was last season. Atrocious. Pukeworthy. You get the point by now!
One reason for the poor offense was the production of the wide receivers. Their best receiver in 2022 was Jakobi Meyers, and even he didn’t have this big-time year.
But now, the receiving room looks a little bit different with the addition of Juju Smith-Schuster in free agency.
It goes without saying that the former Steelers and Chiefs wide receiver needs to have a big first season with the Patriots.
New England Patriots with a legit yards after catch receiver in Juju Smith-Schuster
One of the things that I love about Juju now being in the Patriots offense is his ability to create yards after the catch.
The Patriots had a very difficult time moving the ball down the field last season, for the most part. So when the offense is stalling, sometimes you need somebody that can give you a big momentum shifting play. That’s what Juju can bring to the Patriots!
A lot of people were comparing Juju to Meyers and saying how they’re comparable. Age? Sure, you have a point. But I just feel like Juju is more explosive in the open field than the former Patriot Meyers was in his time in New England.
New England Patriots having JuJu Smith-Schuster help the other wide receivers
If Juju can have the same level of efficiency with the Patriots that he did with the Steelers, then that will actually help all of the other receivers on the field.
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Don’t forget, you still have some very dependable receivers in Devante Parker and Kendrick Bourne.
Parker brings that level of physicality that is needed on the outside for those 50-50 balls to move downfield. Bourne can be a receiver that brings separation on the outside and has good chemistry with quarterback Mac Jones.
Then there’s Tyquan Thornton. Another receiver that can benefit from Smith-Schuster’s presence. We’ve seen what Thornton can do with open space and room to work. Refer back to the Browns game last season if you don’t know what I’m talking about right now.
All three of these guys can draw favorable matchups if other teams are game-planning to shut down Juju. Sometimes, being a decoy is even better than being productive!
Juju Smith-Schuster simply needs to be big for Patriots in 2023
If the Patriots can get anywhere from 750-950 receiving yards from the former USC Trojan, then that will be a successful first year in New England.
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Bill O’Brien is going to open up the playbook and make the Patriots offense much better than a season ago. Now it’s up to Smith-Schuster and the rest of the parts of the offense to do their job. Sound familiar?
So if Juju can bring his unique skillset to New England and do it well, then we could have something for 2023. Also, you might want to sprinkle some money on some Juju prop bets if you’re feeling confident.
Give me all the dances! (As long as Juju does his job on the field!)