Wide Receiver May Be The Next Target For The New Orleans Saints In Free Agency
The New Orleans Saints currently have only three wide receivers under contract on the roster. Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and A.T. Perry are a young and explosive trio. However, the team will obviously need to add several more wideouts this offseason.
With the unceremonious split between the Saints and Michael Thomas, this leaves New Orleans in need of a physical intermediate target for QB Derek Carr and new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. The draft is certainly one avenue that will be explored, but don't be surprised if the Saints look to add at least one accomplished veteran in free agency.
It has not been a robust free-agent market for wideouts. With the first wave of signings done, the price is likely to drop lower for the remaining players at this position. Here are a few receivers that New Orleans may explore for their offense.
(age and previous team in parentheses)
• Tyler Boyd (29 - Bengals)
• K.J. Osborn (26 - Vikings)
• Josh Reynolds (29 - Lions)
• Mike Williams (29 - Chargers)
• Hunter Renfrow (28 - Raiders)
• Cedrick Wilson (28 - Dolphins)
• DJ Chark (27 - Panthers)
• Curtis Samuel (27 - Washington)
• Van Jefferson (27 - Falcons)
• Allen Robinson (30 - Steelers)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) catches a pass against the New Orleans Saints. © Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
Cincinnati has two top-tier wideouts in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, which left limited targets and limited money for Boyd. Make no mistake though, he's talented enough to be a Number 2 wideout for most teams and even a featured target for some. In eight years with Cincinnati, Boyd averaged 64 catches for 750 yards and caught 31 touchdowns. He's a decently sized target at 6'2" and 203-Lbs., a good route runner, and the speed to get deep.
Osborn played for Klint Kubiak and Rick Dennison his first two years in Minnesota. His 655 receiving yards and seven touchdowns under Kubiak and Dennison in 2021 were the best numbers of his four-year career. Osborn, 5'11" and 203-Lbs., runs precise intermediate routes from either the slot or outside.
Josh Reynolds has been a complementary weapon throughout his eight-year career, but a valuable piece of two strong passing attacks with the Rams and Lions. Reynolds is coming off the second most productive year of his career in 2023, catching 40 passes for 608 yards and five touchdowns. At 6'3" and 194-Lbs., he works the middle of the field well and is outstanding after the catch.
Renfrow is the wideout most Saints fans have wanted, or at least expected, since signing Carr last offseason. He's just 5'10" and 185-Lbs., but expertly works through the intermediate zones with outstanding route precision. Renfrow played with Carr during his first four seasons and had his biggest year in 2021 with 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns.
Minnesota Vikings receiver K.J. Osborn (17) catches a pass against the Detroit Lions. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
A big target at 6'4" and 218-Lbs., Mike Williams is expected to attract a lot of attention after his release from the Chargers. He's a deep threat that doesn't always run great routes, but can use his frame to shield defenders. Between 2018 and 2022, Williams caught 30 touchdowns and averaged 56 receptions for 892 yards.
Cedrick Wilson turned a career-best 2021 campaign of 45 catches for 602 yards and six touchdowns with Dallas into a nice contract with Miami. He hasn't been a big part of the Dolphins attack in two years there, combining for 34 receptions, 432 yards, and three scores. Wilson, at 6'2" and 197-Lbs., can be a solid third or fourth receiver.
Chark and Samuel are two receivers New Orleans is familiar with facing in the NFC South. Former LSU star Chark (6'3", 200-Lbs.) managed just 35 catches, 525 yards, and five scores for an awful Carolina team last year. The 5'11" and 195-Lb. Samuel was a Panther for his first four years and had 126 catches for 1,269 yards and eight touchdowns the last two years for Washington. Neither player is nearly as explosive as they were earlier in their careers.
Jefferson had only 12 catches for 101 yards with division rival Atlanta last season. Earlier in his career, the 6'1" and 200-Lb. Jefferson was a solid route runner out of the slot for the Rams.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds (8) catches a pass against Raiders cornerback Marcus Peters. © Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
Allen Robinson's best days are behind him. He had only 34 receptions for 280 yards and no touchdowns in 17 games for a struggling Pittsburgh offense last season. Still, Robinson uses his 6'2" and 200-Lb. frame well to shield defenders from a throw. He could still be an effective red-zone weapon or fourth receiver at a cheap price.
Cost and potential roles in the offense are the key words at this position for the Saints. Olave, Shaheed, and Perry are capable of putting up nice numbers in any offense. All three are athletic big-play threats, but also have underrated route skills.
A reliable possession receiver or big-bodied target would open up downfield opportunities for all three wideouts. Olave is this team's top target. However, another capable second or third wideout would allow Kubiak to move Shaheed into more versatile roles and therefore open up the entire offense.
Perhaps New Orleans finds that early in the draft, or perhaps from one of the receivers at the top of the free agent list above. The Saints will also need to fill out the rest of their WR depth chart.
Keith Kirkwood or Lynn Bowden, possibly both, may return to fill those spots. The Saints may instead choose to do this will a lower-level free agent or a later draft choice. Either way, it seems like New Orleans will add wide receivers at both some level of free agency and some point in the draft.
