NFL | Staff movement: recipients

The current offseason is more alive than ever in the NFL. The Press gives you an account of the most significant changes, position by position. Today we are talking about receivers.

Juju Smith-Schuster, New England Patriots

TikTok boy, the kid, the dancer…Smith-Schuster has collected several unflattering nicknames over the past few years. His startling arrival at the Pittsburgh Steelers had made him one of the NFL’s star receivers. He even became a crowd favorite. His star, however, has darkened. After five seasons in Steel Town, the Steelers let him go. The Kansas City Chiefs took him on the run and he became Super Bowl champion. His qualities as a receiver are not insignificant. He is fast, agile and athletic. However, it was difficult for him to shine, since he acted as a second or even third receiver. It will however become the main target of Mac Jones in New England. It will be curious to see how Bill Belichick will manage to manage this free electron.

DJ Moore, Chicago Bears

Moore must have felt lonely with the Carolina Panthers. By evolving in another market, its value would certainly have been different. Moore already has five seasons behind the tie. The latter being his statistically best with seven touchdowns in 17 games. He was traded to Chicago in that monster trade with which the Panthers got the first overall pick in the upcoming draft. Moore won’t be able to carry this team, but if he creates a connection with Justin Fields, this addition could become game-changing. He becomes the number one receiver for the Bears and in a team in full transformation, he could become a key player. This trade between the Panthers and the Bears will allow Carolina to draft a franchise quarterback, but it also filled a major need in Chicago.

Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers

Everyone was a bit taken aback when the Minnesota Vikings released Adam Thielen. Even though the 32-year-old receiver slowed down, he complemented Justin Jefferson wonderfully. At the same time, the Vikings needed to stir the cage after another early exit in the playoffs, and Thielen was among the old furniture. He caught just six touchdown passes last season, but the receiver remains a safe bet in the pay zone. His previous two seasons had been his best two. Now in Carolina, he will be able to express himself freely in a team with nothing to lose. He will certainly be the insurance catcher of the future quarterback of the team. With the additions of Miles Sanders and Hayden Hurst, Thielen will be one option among many, but he will remain a prime target.

Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders

Meyers is undoubtedly a bit of a masochist. Indeed, it returns to where it had been when the strangest, and most awkward, game of the last season originated. Remember, when on the last play of the game, while he was with the Patriots, he tried a pass from behind that ended up in the hands of Chandler Jones, who spun into the end zone crushing Mac Jones? in passing. This game, however, should not define Meyers. Undrafted, Meyers had six touchdowns in 14 games last season. He doesn’t have what it takes to take on the No. 1 receiver job, like he did in New England, but as second, behind Davante Adams, the Raiders may have pulled off a steal. It is even to wonder why the Pats did not retain his services. At 26, Meyers still has a lot to offer. With Josh McDaniels and Jimmy Garoppolo, this fresh start could be good for Meyers.

Allen Lazard, New York Jets

We wondered which receiver would become the new target of Aaron Rodgers, in Green Bay, after the departure of Davante Adams. In the end, Lazard did the job wonderfully. The connection between his quarterback is such that Rodgers reportedly demanded that the Jets sign the 27-year-old receiver if they wanted to attract the star quarterback. Which the Jets did by offering him $44 million for four years. This is a major acquisition for New York. Lazard can do anything on a pitch. He is excellent in contested catches, he has good footwork, he can break free easily in addition to working in tight spaces. If Rodgers ends up in New York, as he wants, the duo could be as productive as Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs or Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill in the same division.