ESPN makes extremely bold prediction for Chiefs WR that seems doable
ESPN made several bold predictions for various NFL players this week and they have high hopes for one of the Kansas City Chiefs' offseason additions. Matt Bowen, an NFL writer who spent seven years in the NFL as a defensive back, feels like Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is going to have a big season. […]
ESPN made several bold predictions for various NFL players this week and they have high hopes for one of the Kansas City Chiefs' offseason additions.
Matt Bowen, an NFL writer who spent seven years in the NFL as a defensive back, feels like Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is going to have a big season.
Bowen predicted this week that Smith-Schuster will have over 100 receptions for Kansas City in 2022.
Smith-Schuster will have more than 100 receptions.
Smith-Schuster brings an added element to the Chiefs' pass game as an inside/outside target for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He's a physical receiver who is willing to work the dirty areas of the field, and he's more explosive than you think after the catch. In coach Andy Reid's system, Smith-Schuster has the traits to produce immediately as a volume target.
Smith-Schuster is entering his sixth NFL season despite still being just 25 years old.
The former USC standout has become a bit of an afterthought in recent years after his breakout season in 2018 (a season in which he caught 111 passes for 1,426 yards and seven touchdowns).
Smith-Schuster has battled injury and poor quarterback play over the last few seasons. Despite those struggles, he's still a talented player who is in the prime of his career.
I don't know if Smith-Schuster will be able to replicate his numbers from 2018, but if he stays healthy, he should have a bounceback year with the Chiefs in 2022.
Smith-Schuster will be playing with the best quarterback he's ever played with (that's no disrespect to Ben Roethlisberger, who was in the twilight of his career when he played alongside Smith-Schuster). It's certainly reasonable to suggest that Smith-Schuster could have close to a career year with Patrick Mahomes this season.
This prediction only seems "bold" because of Smith-Schuster's lack of production over the last few years. Otherwise, this seems very doable for the former Trojan.
Featured image via Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
