5 Patriots who are not safe after 2024 NFL Draft

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WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

After the additions of Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker from this year's draft, the receiving corps is crowded in New England. It's a good problem to have for a team that has struggled to find enough talent to make up their roster, but it's not good news for those who haven't been very productive during their time on the team.

A few pass-catchers will need to fight for their spot on the final roster during the summer, one of whom is JuJu Smith-Schuster.

He was a problematic signing from the beginning. Bill Belichick chose to let Jakobi Meyers sign elsewhere in free agency to sign the former longtime Steeler to almost an identical contract.

As if that wasn't enough drama to start his tenure, Smith-Schuster's inability to fully immerse himself in the offense and be a productive member on game day made his signing look even worse. He then ended the 2023 season on injured reserve, which wasn't ideal given Kendrick Bourne's season-ending injury and DeVante Parker's unavailability due to injury.

With a new coaching staff and several months removed from injury, Smith-Schuster could become a viable weapon for whatever quarterback is playing. However, he will need to prove his value over the next several months because Baker and Polk are explosive additions with a hunger to prove exactly why the Patriots drafted them.

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