Who Should I Start? JuJu Smith-Schuster or James Washington

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.

Monday, August 28, 7:13 PM

The Indianapolis Colts released wide receiver James Washington on Monday, according to a league source. Washington signed with the Colts during training camp but obviously didn't do enough in the short time he was with the team to earn a roster spot heading into the 2023 regular season. The former second-round selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers back in 2018 out of Oklahoma State was unable to secure his only target in two games played with the Dallas Cowboys in 2022 after four seasons in Pittsburgh to begin his career. Washington's best season came in 2019, when he had 44 receptions for 735 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games (10 starts). He will now look to join another team as receiver depth for the 2023 campaign.