3 Free agents the Atlanta Falcons must avoid this off-season

Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) makes a catch against the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) makes a catch against the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) makes a catch against the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) makes a catch against the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

1. JuJu Smith-Schuster

JuJu proved to be one of the bargain signings of the 2022 off-seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs. JuJu was the primary receiver for Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl and made a number of huge plays in their playoff run.  The receiver’s season finished with 933 yards and 3 touchdowns in a great bounce-back year.

JuJu is going to cash in on this season but the Atlanta Falcons shouldn’t be in the running with far more affordable and reliable options in free agency, the draft, or the trade market. JuJu has put together six seasons together with four of those years being productive.

What the veteran receiver has shown throughout his career is that he is as good as his starting quarterback. Atlanta needs to be focused on finding a receiver that will elevate Desmond Ridder and JuJu isn’t a fit. Not only will the market for the receiver likely be much higher than it should be due to his Super Bowl impact but his career indicates this isn’t a fit for Ridder and the Falcons. JuJu needs a veteran quarterback and system with one-star target in front of him to be at his best. Atlanta isn’t a fit for a player who is set to cash in after a great single season in Kansas City.