Who Should I Start? JuJu Smith-Schuster or Julio Jones

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, January 15, 10:11 PM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Julio Jones (concussion) was diagnosed with a concussion following a hard hit in the second quarter of Monday night's wild-card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has been ruled out for the rest of the game. Before taking the hard shot that left him concussed, the 34-year-old veteran caught three passes for just 22 yards. The Eagles are also without top receiver A.J. Brown (knee), so DeVonta Smith, who leads the team with four catches for 100 yards, and tight end Dallas Goedert (three catches for 11 yards and a touchdown) should continue to be a big part of Philly's passing game as they look to come from behind to beat the Bucs. Quez Watkins could also get more involved through the air in the second half. If the Eagles come back and win this game, Jones could be unavailable for the Divisional Round in Detroit against the Lions.