5 Patriots Who Should Be Cut Before the Season Ends
By Tyler Maher
3. JuJu Smith-Schuster
New England gave JuJu Smith-Schuster a lot of money in the offseason, but it's time to admit he's a sunk cost and move on.
Smith-Schuster was brought in to be the Patriots' No. 1 receiver after helping the Kansas City Chiefs win the Super Bowl last year. Instead, he's been barely noticeable this year, largely because the coaching staff doesn't even put him on the field during critical moments.
Through eight games, Smith-Schuster has managed a meager 22 catches on 34 targets for 149 yards and 1 touchdown. He's failed to crack double-digit receiving yards in four of his last six contests, so it's not like he's getting better, either.
The former Pro Bowler has shown zero chemistry with Jones and already looks old for a 26-year-old. Recent injuries seem to have taken their toll, and he's simply not making enough of an impact to merit additional playing time.
The Patriots have young receivers like Demario Douglas, Kayson Boutte and Tyquan Thornton who deserve those reps instead. Cutting Smith-Schuster would allow them to take on a larger role in the offense and show that they've got.