Fan 93.7 The Fan NFL Insider John Clayton has previously said that the Las Vegas Raiders are likely one of the teams interested in JuJu Smith-Schuster. You can now add the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots to the list.
Speaking to the PM Team, Clayton says that “Miami could be in the hunt, the New England Patriots could be in the hunt although it’s not Bill Belichick’s nature to pay top receivers that much money.”
The soon-to-be free agent wide receiver may have already let the cat out of the bag, when he live streamed himself playing “Fortnite” with his character wearing a Dolphins uniform.
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Clayton adds that while Belichick doesn’t normally pay top dollar for receivers, the Patriots have $68 million in cap room, “and that don’t have hardly anything at receiver.”
Spotrac has Smith-Schuster valued at $80.7 million over a five-year period with an average yearly salary of $16.1 million, something the Patriots and Dolphins could afford with Miami having over $33 million in cap room.
To compare the Steelers are currently around $6 million under the cap, not an ideal situation but better than the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints who are $32 million and $29 million over the cap currently.
While Smith-Schuster pay be getting a payday elsewhere, it will be more difficult for free agent running back James Conner.
Running backs typically have a hard time getting money in free agency and with the reduced cap and the Steelers having the worst running games in the league last season, Conner won’t get more than $3 or $4 million according to Clayton.
“it’s going to be hard even for the starters to get starters money in free agency,” said Clayton.
The top running back free agent on the market, Aaron Jones did not get the $8.5 million franchise tag in Green Bay, so he’ll likely get $10 million somewhere else, but Clayton says every other starter will get under $8 million.
“So all these guys are going to come under $8 (million) and in the case of James Conner, I think he’s going to come in at $3 or $4 million,” said Clayton. “I know there’s interest in Miami in him and there’s going to be interest because there’s so many running backs that are going to be available at lower prices, but he’s going to be available at a lower price.”
The Steelers could have a hard time keeping guard Matt Feiler. Clayton says currently Feiler is currently the 2nd best guard on the market and could sign somewhere for $7 million. Feiler made $3.2 million in 2020.
The Steelers will likely go with a cheaper option.
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