Las Vegas Raiders: AFC North 2021 free agents to ‘steal’

Las Vegas Raiders: AFC North 2021 free agents to ‘steal’

JuJu Smith-Schuster could fill a need as a top tier possession receiver

This point comes with some qualifiers as the Las Vegas Raiders are still technically in the market for a number one wide receiver. There have been reports that Nelson Agholor will be on his way back to Las Vegas after a great first season but nothing is official until he signs on that dotted line.

JuJu Smith-Schuster is a controversial player mostly for his social media activity and propensity for doing TikTok dances on opponents’ midfield logos. It’s unclear how much of a distraction he actually causes with his social media antics but by the end of the season it was obvious that head coach Mike Tomlin had enough when the Steelers were struggling.

Perhaps if the Steelers were rolling and not losing to teams like the Cincinnati Bengals the dances would not have been a big deal but when you’re losing everything is magnified. In terms of his on-field contributions, Smith-Schuster had an excellent season for the Steelers and has been very productive in his short time there.

His statistics of 97 catches for 831 yards and nine touchdowns in 2020 would have lead all Raiders receivers and his bigger frame would give the Raiders a different look as a top-tier possession receiver. Smith-Schuster’s ability to make plays after the catch make him incredibly dangerous as well as he can turn short completions in to big gains.

The Raiders may be set at receiver if they bring back Nelson Agholor but the prospect of having an elite possession receiver in Smith-Schuster alongside deep threats like Henry Ruggs is a tantalizing one. If JuJu comes to Las Vegas he can do all the dances he wants as long as he’s doing it in the end zone.