Waiting On JuJu Smith-Schuster?
March 5th, 2021
Bucs receiver Chris Godwin
If Joe told you that pending stud free agent Chris Godwin had 308 career catches, 3,726 yards receiving, 26 touchdowns, 1 Pro Bowl berth and is averaging 12 yards per catch, there’s you a good chance you’d say, “Sounds right!”
But those are the numbers of Steelers pending free agent receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Godwin has less catches, yards and touchdowns.
Like Smith-Schuster, Godwin has a Pro Bowl on his resume but averages 14.5 yards per catch.
Smith-Schuster is 24 and was a second-round pick in 2017. Godwin is 25 and went that same year in the third round.
Godwin had a nothing-too-special 2020 postseason. Smith-Schuster went off in one game at Cleveland with 13 catches for 157 yards and a touchdown.
Both guys are ready to break the bank in free agency and Joe is hoping the Steelers make their move on Smith-Schuster quickly. That could help spark a Godwin deal/decision in a hurry to keep Godwin in Tampa.
Joe doesn’t believe either player can argue he’s significantly more valuable than the other. Yes, Joe is acutely aware that Godwin is a ferocious blocker, but receivers don’t get the big bucks for their blocking prowess and commitment.
Four days from the franchise-tag deadline, Joe is monitoring this closely. Smith-Schuster says he wants to stay in Pittsburgh and his hungry to hammer out a contract now that the Steelers made salary cap room after re-structuring Ben Roethlisberger’s deal. Godwin says he wants to stay in Tampa.
Somebody blink, please.
March 5th, 2021 at 2:03 pm
False Equivalency comparing numbers. Ju-Ju the clown had 2 yrs to line up as a number one, and he’s shown that he’s nothing more than an ok player, with average at best speed and not in any way a game breaker. Godwin hasn’t had the opportunity to be a true number one but has much greater physical ability than that tik tok twink in Pittsburgh
March 5th, 2021 at 2:05 pm
Juju brings bad juju and is a selfish player. His numbers in the playoffs were mostly garbage, and he was averaging only 40 yards a game for most of last season while being healthy. That means something since the Steelers couldnt run the ball more than 2 yards all season. No thanks. Strong pass.
March 5th, 2021 at 2:05 pm
You thought Brown would cause issues, JUJU is a time bomb waiting to explode. Phenomenal athlete but anyone that sees the need to play tug of war with a lion has a few screws loose. FA coming up and takes the chance of dislocating a shoulder. Throw Godwin a bone and see if he bites.
Nobody, certainly not Joe, is advocating for the Bucs to sign JuJu. –Joe
March 5th, 2021 at 2:11 pm
JuJu is slow, not special, that’s the issue. Evans isn’t slow, but can look like it on film because he’s so big and he plays big, but JuJu is literally slow – and inconsistent. There’s a reason on free agent rankings JuJu is in the second tier of WR’s despite his impressive numbers.
I’d much rather have AB on the team tha Juju since AB is a short commitment and a better player, while Juju could easily flame out completely.
I certainly could be wrong, I’m not a scout, but I’d happily pay Godwin whatever extra he costs over Juju.
March 5th, 2021 at 2:12 pm
Juju was #1 with Steelers. Godwin was #2 possibly #3. Good try joe. But I’ll take Godwin any day over the dancer. Godwin is all pro.
March 5th, 2021 at 2:16 pm
Nfl network had godwin rated #5 out of 10 best receiver free agents
What a laugh
Godwin is a stud. Physical receiver with great hands
March 5th, 2021 at 2:17 pm
didn’t AB an juju have issues?
Keep AB, but no bad juju
Time for Tyler to shine!
March 5th, 2021 at 2:17 pm
Juju might set the market for WR. Maybe Bucs are waiting for that ?
March 5th, 2021 at 2:18 pm
5 contracts are in the works right now. Extensions. 1-3 yrs
March 5th, 2021 at 2:22 pm
Not a comparison because Godwin has relationships here.
March 5th, 2021 at 2:29 pm
I love, love, love me some Chris Godwin! I even bought his jersey for my son. However keeping the defense together is paramount. In my opinion 90% chance Godwin plays somewhere else next year
March 5th, 2021 at 2:32 pm
Joe: You failed to mention that Pittsburgh was down 28-0 to Cleveland after the first quarter, and JuJu’s stats were inflated by garbage time/prevent defense.
March 5th, 2021 at 2:37 pm
I don’t think Joe is lobbying for the Bucs to sign Mr. TikTok… they are talking contract money
March 5th, 2021 at 2:44 pm
Yup–when bad JuJu signs, it’ll sweet y the parameters for CG
March 5th, 2021 at 2:45 pm
Taylor it went right over their heads. I would like to see CG back.
Go Bucs
March 5th, 2021 at 2:59 pm
every fan wants to know who Tampa Bay will host at The Licht House… Joe you used my nickname for the stadium!!! Hell yeah baby! So cool to see, I know some don’t like but lol
Off topic, sorry
Go Bucs
March 5th, 2021 at 3:04 pm
Joe isn’t suggesting we sign JuJu. JuJu will dictate what the market is for Chris Godwin.
March 5th, 2021 at 3:08 pm
I am confused. Are people on this site arguing that Godwin has good speed.
His profile coming out of college was all the things we see that he has – good route running, good hands, smart. They also said that his speed was less than average. He then trained like they all do before the combine and had a very solid 40 time at the combine.
We have four years of watching him though and Mr. Godwin has a lot of above average abilities. Speed is not one of them. If you think it is name the play in 4 years that he won with NFL speed.
March 5th, 2021 at 3:08 pm
Look at where we are…Tuesday is the franchise tag deadline, and so far no announcements with all the guys we have to sign. I have a feeling when the dam breaks, we will have many announcements withing a few days.
March 5th, 2021 at 3:34 pm
“Godwin had a nothing-too-special 2020 postseason. Smith-Schuster went off in one game at Cleveland with 13 catches for 157 yards and a touchdown.”
I didn’t realize you had SAS on your staff Joe. Godwin was sleeping with 110 yards and 5 FD @ GB. An end around catch to clench a Super Bowl appearance is good enough for me.
March 5th, 2021 at 3:39 pm
geno711
Doesn’t need top flight speed. He breaks off routes like butter.
March 5th, 2021 at 4:08 pm
Godwin has been a stud but you can’t takeaway, overlook, or forget he was a liability in the playoffs. He totally sucked plain and simple.
March 5th, 2021 at 4:09 pm
I know the receivers are the strength of the team but godwin is only 25 and arguably the best receiver on the team with great attitude, can’t let him go.
March 5th, 2021 at 4:38 pm
Adrnagy Says:
Are you making s#!t up, or do you have a link to share?
March 5th, 2021 at 4:41 pm
geno711: Godwin ran a 4.42 at the Combine. He’s faster (and better) than 90% of NFL receivers.
March 5th, 2021 at 4:47 pm
Corrected: Joe is acutely aware that Godwin is a ferocious blocker, but receivers THAT AREN’T NAMED MICHAEL CLAYTON don’t get the big bucks for their blocking prowess and commitment.
March 5th, 2021 at 5:47 pm
When you’re lining up in the slot, what determines separation is the route running and lateral quickness. Straight line speed is more relevant if the receiver is running a go route or at least longer routes.
March 5th, 2021 at 5:51 pm
The list of “Top 100 NFL Players” prior to the 2020 season had 15 WR’s on the list, and Chris Godwin was ranked 29th player overall (or the top 98.3%), and 3rd WR (if 32 teams carry 5 WR’s, Godwin is in the top 98.2%).
Faster WR’s than Godwin in the top 100, based on 40 times: Tyreek Hill (4.29), DJ Chark (4.34), Julio Jones (4.39), Amari Cooper (4.42, tied with Godwin).
Slower 40 times than Godwin, of the top WR’s: Michael Thomas (4.57), DeAndre Hopkins (4.57), Mike Evans (4.53), Davante Adams (4.56), AJ Green (4.50), Odell Beckham (4.43), Keenan Allen (4.71), JuJu Smith-Schuster (4.54), Stefon Diggs (4.46), and Cooper Kupp (4.62).
March 5th, 2021 at 5:51 pm
The point everyone is missing is one was a second, and the other a third rounder. Receivers aren’t hard to find, or hard to come by. We’re paying top receiver money to Evans, we’re not going to be able to pay two. Use one of the tags on Godwin, and trade him for at least a first rounder.
March 5th, 2021 at 6:04 pm
Hodad,
WRs aren’t hard to find, but good ones are. They are not all interchangeable parts either, as WRs play three positions (X, Y, Z) and few play them equally well. Brady heavily targets his slot receivers, so their importance is high.
March 5th, 2021 at 6:15 pm
Lol this is funny, really juju this can’t be serious
March 5th, 2021 at 6:37 pm
If one of the “Big 3” has to go, I hope it’s Godwin, though I think he is a very good WR.
March 5th, 2021 at 6:40 pm
Hodad: Uh, the point you’re missing…If WR’s are so easy to find, why will Chris Godwin get $15 plus million a year, either the Bucs or another team?
March 5th, 2021 at 6:40 pm
*From the Bucs
March 5th, 2021 at 6:40 pm
@Rod. I agree 100%. Forget everything else. Juju is slow. He’s not #1 WR material because of it. He runs crisp routes, catches what he should, and is reliable but ssslloooowwwww. Godwin is much tougher and faster. AB is faster than both. AB’s potential baggage and maybe height is an understandable concern. Flip on the film and watch AB on those screen plays. he is so quick. Incredibly quick. He hasn’t lost much of a step. While noone seems to be too excited to keep AB, I’m thinking you can have a top 10 WR on the team on the cheap. I think AB is a no brainer 2 year extension with obvious outs for legal troubles and careful on the guarantees whether or not we keep Godwin ( I really hope we do).
March 5th, 2021 at 6:44 pm
The whole tag and trade idea is silly. You want to keep your best players, unless you have no idea what you’re doing (Dave Gettleman). So you’d tag and trade Godwin, and let Shaq walk without being tagged?
March 5th, 2021 at 7:03 pm
geno711 – someone else said it, but Godwin tested really fast at the combine, what they said at the time is that he seemed to play slower than his timed speed, which is why he didn’t go until the 3rd round. However we have 4 years of NFL tape that show the guy is a top flight NFL receiver, and a great match for Evans. Godwin is on the bigger side, and when big guys, like Evans, are fast, they look slower, generally because they have long strides. Godwin is right in the middle on that, he’s not a long strider, and was one of the best in football at picking up yards after the catch (although he doesn’t make big highlight plays, he consistently picks up chunks). Godwin, at age 25 this season, is clearly the top WR in this class, followed by Allen Robinson, who is also really good but will be 28 this season and has a long list of injuries (although not recent).
Speaking of Allen Robinson, he has never played with a good NFL QB. Godwin is clearly the choice for me, but if we lose him, I wonder if someone like Robinson might be cheaper than expected.
March 5th, 2021 at 7:21 pm
geno711: Watch Chris Godwin’s highlights from 2020-21. He gets behind the defenses more than you think. A few times he lays out to make the catch, otherwise it would’ve been long TD catches.
March 5th, 2021 at 8:35 pm
Stop hating on JUJU
March 5th, 2021 at 9:06 pm
oe in Michigan Says:
March 5th, 2021 at 4:41 pm
geno711: Godwin ran a 4.42 at the Combine. He’s faster (and better) than 90% of NFL receivers.
I was a Godwin fan after watching him in the Penn State v. USC final college game. He went off. No doubt I like him.
The 4.42 combine I saw it when it happened and always knew about. The person who said that he breaks off routes like butter is cool. But I just disagree with those of you that say he has better than average wide receiver speed. It is his one common ability. We have 4 years of watching him and he does not have elite speed. He clearly is not faster than 90 percent of the receivers.
March 5th, 2021 at 9:27 pm
Again, I think there’s some confusion regarding straight-line speed. Straight-line speed certainly helps, but it helps more if the receiver is running longer routes. That might help if Godwin lines up on the outside which he sometimes does, but Godwin plays more slot. When you see someone getting behind coverage, one of two things is happening. Raw speed is a factor, but I put it behind route running, especially in the slot. You have to fool the guy when being jammed, and you have to have the ability to disguise what you’re going to do, and then you have to read the zone and exploit the seam. Look at some of your best slot receivers like Cooper Kupp or Jarvis Landry. They’re tricky or clever, which among slots means they’re slow.
March 5th, 2021 at 10:22 pm
SOEbuc – HE BREAKS OFF ROUTES LIKE BUTTER! – Still laughing!!!! Like Butter he says!
Godwin all day, discussion over.
March 5th, 2021 at 11:14 pm
You can’t compare the #1 (since AB left) receiver to a player who was one of so many offensive weapons… It’s not like Evans, Gronk, AB, Brate, Miller.. And Godwin were all gonna get 1500yd last year. Brady would have had 8000 passing yards.
March 5th, 2021 at 11:52 pm
I know they don’t get the big bucks for blocking, but name one other wideout who has had the career catching the football as Godwin has but yet the Bucs regularly bring him in motion to block the Defensive end or outside linebacker and seal the edge on run plays. The kid is a complete football player and is still very young. The Bucs would be fools to let him get away from here.
March 5th, 2021 at 11:57 pm
geno711: I’m not sure how you came up with the theory that Chris Godwin has below average speed, he ran a 4.42 and the average speed for an NFL receiver is around a 4.48 40 time. Is your point that the Bucs should let Godwin walk because you think he looks too slow? Do you realize that Tyler Johnson would probably take Godwin’s spot, who is unquestionably slower?
March 6th, 2021 at 12:32 am
Joe has to make money. Dont get triggered by his Skip Bayless pieces that drop after Bucs nation ordained in championship drip. Love you Joe! 2020! Year of the Flag and Skull
March 6th, 2021 at 12:46 am
Bucs suck, juju #1
March 6th, 2021 at 2:33 am
I think Chase Claypool is the #1 guy in Pittsburgh he does everything exceptionally well including finding holes in double teams. JuJu is a great athlete but not even close to what Claypools ceiling is going to be!!
March 6th, 2021 at 3:03 am
Keep Godwin. He is a Super Bowl Champ, isn’t he. His value goes beyond stats. Good player, good team mate. Try to keep him.👍
March 6th, 2021 at 9:07 am
Not a fan of pittsburgh players
March 6th, 2021 at 9:34 am
Ju ju is a bum avg under 10 yards a catch as the no 1 option not worth it ..nothing but an overrated jim jensen
March 6th, 2021 at 9:44 am
Godwin is a stud. Takes the big hits over the middle. Leaps high to grab overthrown balls. Dives for balls thrown low and away. Makes one handed grabs of balls thrown off target. Blocks like a tight end. Not a speed burner but adequate speed with excellent route running. Not a diva! Team player. What the hell more could you want.
March 6th, 2021 at 9:45 am
@JoeinMihigan
You win the argument if the only criteria is combine time. And you overall win anyway – because I like Godwin a lot. I just always felt that fans too much use combine times speed only as measure of value.
So today I stand corrected to my one comment that he has less than average speed. I overstated that. He has average speed.
Not a really sufficient source – and I looked at it for the 1st time today. I have never played it; But for instance Madden gives him a 91 speed rating.
They rate 260 wide receivers (Obviously most of those guys do not play much).
They have 70 players rated ahead of him in speed. The have 33 guys rated the same as him in speed. So out of that 260 – again some who do not play – 103 are rated either equal or tied with him in speed.
But to be clear – I went by my eyeballs before today – I only went to Madden because game film is much more important than a 4 year old – 1 time combine number as best proof of his speed.
By the way, Madden has overall rated Godwin the 15th best receiver. If you believe Madden, then clearly some team will covet him as their number 1 receiver. No way Tyler Johnson can replace Chris Godwin.
By the way, @JoeinMIchigan – I lived in that fine state from 1967 to 1979.
March 6th, 2021 at 11:49 am
The exact same stuff was said on this site about AB, heck even worse! I would keep Godwin too, but to act like this young man is a pariah is just weak ass hiding behind a screen name rhetoric. Stop c walling people things when you have never taken an NFL hit going across the middle.
March 6th, 2021 at 1:57 pm
geno711: I was incorrect that Godwin is faster than 90% of WR’s in the NFL, an over exaggeration. I apologize. I do believe he’s better than 90% of WR’s in the NFL. My point was that I want the Bucs to keep Godwin, but that might not be possible. We’ll see. Where did you live in Michigan? I’m from the Southwestern part, on Lake Michigan.
March 6th, 2021 at 2:44 pm
Both players will break the bank and JuJu Schuster has to leave because the Steelers are going to get worse for a couple years before they get better and he could go to so many teams like San Diego AKA LA or anywhere he wants in good one g o d w i n hopefully they’ll franchise them before they let him go next year