JuJu Smith-Schuster Linked To Giants, Cardinals

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The New York Giants have their quarterback in Daniel Jones, with team leadership emphasizing this week they have confidence in their decision.

So, the Giants have a signal-caller and now need to surround the offense with the much-needed power to score?

Impending free agents like Kenny Golladay, Corey Davis, and Curtis Samuel have names thrown around, Heavy.com reports.

But NFL Network Analytics Expert Cynthia Frelund has a different pass-catcher in mind — the TikTok star and 24-year-old wideout, JuJu Smith-Schuster, future WR1 for the Giants?

After voting “that’s a negative” on the poll, Smith-Schuster has Steeler Nation questioning the status of his impending free agency.

Frelund said she believes Smith-Schuster should be headed to New York — projecting he could add 1.11 wins to the team’s win total. 

"New York QBs had a passer rating when targeting the slot of just 82.3 last season, second-lowest in the NFL," she said. "On a roster that also boasts a returning Saquon Barkley, Smith-Schuster could easily fulfill the role of a No. 1 WR."

But, Frelund said she wanted to list two teams to show the impact a slot receiver can have and lists the Arizona Cardinals winning 1.07 more games with Smith-Schuster on the roster.

"Smith-Schuster aligned in the slot on 75 percent of plays in 2020, a career high for him, and Arizona averaged just 7 yards per target from the slot as a team in 2020 (sixth-lowest)," she said. "Combining Smith-Schuster with DeAndre Hopkins would drive so much value that the Cardinals could strategically pull off not re-signing running back Kenyan Drake along with not overpaying for O-line help -- GASP!"

Although no formal announcement has been made, it is not likely the wide receiver is heading back to play with Big Ben. Smith-Schuster and the Steelers have not given any indication the two will work together.

Steelers.com’s Bob Labriola said the wideout wants to remain with the team but is "unlikely to want to accept what the cap-strapped Steelers would be able to pay him on a new contract."