Who Should I Start? JuJu Smith-Schuster or Daurice Fountain

Thursday, May 2, 2:33 PM

Starting next month, the New England Patriots could cut wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster at a cost of $9.6 million in dead money and no salary cap relief, per Over the Cap, while releasing him before then would incur $2.6 million more in dead money and take a small chunk out of their league-leading $54 million cap room. If the Pats traded Smith-Schuster after June 1, they'd save almost $7 million in cap space and clear room for their young receivers to see more playing time. New England could prioritize playing time for rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, plus 2023 sixth-rounder Demario Douglas. It all means that Smith-Schuster may no longer be the team's No. 2 receiver, especially with Kendrick Bourne and K.J. Osborn also on the roster.

Sunday, August 20, 1:38 PM

Chicago Bears wide receiver Daurice Fountain led the team in receiving and got into the endzone in Saturday's preseason loss against the Indianapolis Colts. The 27-year-old hauled in five catches on six targets for 86 receiving yards, including a 35-yard jump ball touchdown from Nathan Peterman in the fourth quarter. Despite this dominant performance, several receivers are currently ahead of Fountain on the depth chart. While it will be challenging for Fountain to get a spot on the 53-man roster, he is still someone to watch regardless of the outcome.