Report: Saints to Sign WR Bryan Edwards
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Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network and Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football report that the New Orleans Saints are signing free-agent WR Bryan Edwards on Monday. Terms of the contract are unknown.
Edwards was a third-round choice by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2020 NFL Draft out of South Carolina. He had 234 receptions for 3,045 yards and 22 touchdowns in four collegiate seasons, including over 790 yards in his last three campaigns.
Appearing in 12 games as a rookie, Edwards was hampered by an ankle injury and had just 11 catches for 193 yards. Playing with QB Derek Carr, the new quarterback of the Saints, Edwards saw a breakout performance in his second year. He had 34 receptions for 571 yards and three touchdowns in 2021, including five games of at least 60 yards.
The Raiders traded Edwards to Atlanta last offseason. He'd have just three catches for 15 yards with the Falcons before being released after seven games. Kansas City would pick him up, but he'd remain on the Chiefs practice squad until being released at the end of the regular season.
The 24-year-old Edwards is a physical wideout at 6'3" and 212-Lbs. He adds little as a downfield threat, but is a sure-handed target over the middle and in traffic. He'll win most contested throws because he uses his body well and has strong hands.
Edwards will compete for a spot in a New Orleans receiving corps that includes 2022 first-round star Chris Olave, former All-Pro Michael Thomas, and 2022 undrafted playmaker Rashid Shaheed.
Dec 20, 2021; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) makes a catch against the Cleveland Browns. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY
Thomas played in only three of 34 games in 2021 and 2022. Without his physical presence, the Saints ranked dead last in passing production during the 2021 campaign. The emergence of Olave and Shaheed helped improve that ranking to 16th last season, but the attack still struggled without the nearly unstoppable intermediate routes from Thomas.
Edwards isn't on the level of Thomas, but gives the team another physical presence at wideout. His familiarity with Derek Carr should also be a major asset for the offense.
