Who Should I Start? JuJu Smith-Schuster or Chris Godwin

Sunday, June 23, 1:30 PM

New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) said his injured knee is much healthier than last year, but to the untrained eye, The Athletic's Chad Graff writes that it didn't appear as if Smith-Schuster had the same explosiveness that he did in 2021 or 2022. If he's going to make the 53-man roster out of training camp and the preseason this year, he's going to need to outplay both Kayshon Boutte and Tyquan Thornton this summer while hoping that Jalen Reagor loses the competition for the top kick-returner job. Demario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne (knee), K.J. Osborn and rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker appear to be roster locks at the position. The 27-year-old Smith-Schuster had just 260 receiving yards in 11 games in 2023 for New England and is well off the fantasy radar entering the 2024 campaign, even if he does somehow make the final roster.

Friday, July 5, 6:08 PM

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have said they plan to use wide receiver Chris Godwin more in the slot in 2024 after shifting him outside last year with an eye on avoiding injuries. It's the same role Cooper Kupp had with the Los Angeles Rams when Liam Coen was running the offense in LA. Godwin did manage to stay healthy last year, and in so doing he posted his third straight 1,000-yard season with 83 receptions on 130 targets, although he disappointed by scoring just two touchdowns in 17 starts. The 28-year-old has been more effective in his career while operating out of the slot and he'll have continuity at quarterback with Baker Mayfield re-signing this offseason. Injuries are always a concern when it comes to Godwin, but with a move back to the slot in 2024, he'll certainly be an attractive fantasy selection as a low-end WR3/high-end WR4/flex this fall.