Who Should I Start? JuJu Smith-Schuster or Miles Sanders

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, January 7, 5:29 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders carried the ball three times for 18 yards and was not targeted in a 9-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18. It marks a fitting end for a disappointing season for Sanders, who was signed to a four-year, $25.4 million contract last offseason but lost his job to Chuba Hubbard halfway through the year. He has a dead cap value of $11 million so he's likely to be back with the Panthers in 2024, although in what capacity remains to be seen.