Steelers’ JuJu Smith-Schuster trade could improve Titans WR group
Why get JuJu?
Corey Davis has not been quite the wide receiver that the Tennessee Titans have wanted him to be.
Every year seems to be “Corey Davis’s year” but it never really turns out to be. Corey Davis isn’t a bad wide receiver and if his 5th-year option was cheaper, I would have been all for the Titans picking it up. For what it is worth, his blocking ability is a huge reason for AJ Brown’s YAC and Derrick Henry’s success.
The fact of the matter is that the Tennessee Titans have a need for more talent at wide receiver. Corey Davis just doesn’t seem to be able to consistently put up the number that this team needs to go to the next level.
JuJu Smith-Schuster played very well as the second wide receiver behind Antonio Brown, so what would be different behind AJ Brown?
How good was the 2019 Wide Receiver Class??
— Jax Falcone 🚫 (@DynoGameTheory) May 20, 2020
Well, since 1992 there have been 51 Rookie WRs that have had 50 catches and 700 yards in their rookie season.
When sorted by YPT, we see 4 of the top 17 from the 2019 class.
DK Metcalf
Terry McLaurin
Deebo
AJ Brown best all time. pic.twitter.com/EjGYiDajB4
Since 1992, AJ Brown and JuJu have had the highest yards per target among rookie WRs with at least 700 yards. If the Tennessee Titans were to trade for JuJu and sign him long term, they would have a shot at having the best young wideout duo for years to come.
After shedding veteran deals like Jurrell Casey and Delanie Walker, the Titans are going to have a lot of space in the future. On top of that, if this season somehow plays out normally (or close to normal) the NFL’s cap space could be higher than projected giving them even more money to pay Juju down the line.