How Patriots’ JuJu Smith-Schuster Assessed Slow Start To Camp

FOXBORO, Mass. — JuJu Smith-Schuster didn’t get off to a fast start in New England Patriots training camp.

The veteran wideout, who stressed he feels good physically, was more or less nonexistent during the first four pad-less sessions. The Patriots threw on the pads Monday, and Smith-Schuster had his best practice of camp one day later.

“I would say it’s been great. It’s been good,” Smith-Schuster said after the team wrapped up Day 6 on Tuesday. “As far as being on this offense, I love what AVP (Alex Van Pelt) is doing with our group and getting us right.”

Smith-Schuster recorded a pair of wins during a 1-on-1 period Tuesday. He caught a Bailey Zappe pass against cornerback Alex Austin and followed it up with a reception against starting cornerback Jonathan Jones. Smith-Schuster also looked like he drew a penalty on rookie cornerback Marcellus Dial Jr. on his final 1-on-1 rep, though there were no referees throwing flags.

Smith-Schuster was plagued by a brutal drop on a pass from Jacoby Brissett during 11-on-11s, but followed up with a reception from Drake Maye in red zone 7-on-7s and had a touchdown from Joe Milton III during red area 11-on-11s.

“When those opportunities come, you got to make the best of it,” Smith-Schuster said. “Feeling good to get the team pumped and hype when you score.”

Smith-Schuster is not a lock for a New England roster spot given the amount of bodies in the receiver room.

He’s certainly behind DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. Kendrick Bourne and K.J. Osborn also feel like locks for roster spots. Smith-Schuster could be fighting with Tyquan Thornton and Jalen Reagor for the final spot or two, though he doesn’t have the special teams prowess Reagor does.

“You have a lot of great guys in the room,” Smith-Schuster said. “A lot of people who have been making plays all camp. I would say that the competition level is very, very high. So everyone that’s out there, when the opportunity comes you’ve got to make the best out of it.”

Smith-Schuster has plenty to prove after an underwhelming debut season with the Patriots, a campaign in which he finished with 260 yards receiving on 29 receptions in 11 games. He entered training camp with a competitive mindset, but remains confident. He believes he still has the 1,000-yard receiver in him entering his age-28 season.

“It’s always been in me, that dawg, that competitiveness,” Smith-Schuster said. “I’ve been in a lot of situations — tough situations, making those hard catches and being able to convert and move the sticks. Something I take pride of. So, for sure, got that dawg in me. For sure.”

Smith-Schuster will have to stack days similar to Tuesday should he want to make up for his slow start. He’ll have the opportunity to continue that momentum when the Patriots return for Day 7 on Thursday.