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JuJu Smith-Schuster will become an unrestricted free agent next week and he should have plenty of suitors. The Jets, Raiders and Cardinals have been previously mentioned as teams that could be in the hunt for Smith-Schuster.
Spotrac predicts that Smith-Schuster will get a five-year deal worth around $80 million with Miami. Longtime NFL writer and analyst John Clayton was on 93.7 The Fan yesterday and he also thinks the Dolphins will be in play for Smith-Schuster, along with another AFC East team that has plenty of cap space. Smith-Schuster should command around $16 million per year.
"Yeah, I would have to think that Miami would be in the hunt," Clayton said. "The New England Patriots could be in the hunt, although it's not Bill Belichick's nature to pay top receivers that much money. It's just like he doesn't pay pass rushers top money. You know, he tends to go a different way. But they're sitting there with $68 million of cap room and they don't have hardly anything at receiver.
"And we see today now teams are inquiring about possible trades for N'Keal Harry, who's been a bust as far as a wide receiver for them and they very well will trade him. He hasn't done anything to upgrade wide receiver or tight end in the last two years. I just don't know if he's going to pay high premium to do it, but I think that they'll certainly inquire."
Clayton also said that division foes the Bengals could also be an option for Smith-Schuster if they don't re-sign A.J. Green.
"So, they could be in the mix to go JuJu Smith-Schuster too at wide receiver," Clayton said about Cincinnati. "Again, it might not be the highest number, but they are willing to go top dollar and they have the cap room to be able to do it."
Clayton also said during the interview that the Dolphins are interested in pursuing James Conner in free agency. Clayton expects Conner to receive a deal worth $3 million to $4 million per year. So, it could be a reunion with Smth-Schuster and Conner down in Miami. We don't have to wait much longer to find out as the free-agent frenzy starts on March 17 at 4 p.m. EST.