After waiting all day for some news about whether the Saints would pull the trigger and make a trade before the deadline it’s safe to say there’s some disappointment. Guys were available and there were reports that the Saints were actively calling, but nothing got done.
The Saints and Browns were in discussion about a trade for Odell Beckham Jr. who hasn’t done much since being traded to Cleveland in 2019. They couldn’t come to an agreement on a deal due to how much Odell is owed for the remainder of the season.
The Saints rank dead last in overall receptions with 114 receptions and are 31st in receiving yards with 1,341. They also rank dead last in receptions 20+ yards downfield with only 12. It’s safe to say it’s a position that’s in need of some reinforcement and help, especially now with the recent injury of Jameis Winston which puts him out for the rest of the season.
The Saints current receiving room looks like this:
On roster: Deonte Harris, Marquez Callaway, Tre’Quan Smith, Kenny Stills, Ty Montgomery
PUP: Michael Thomas
Practice Squad: Kawaan Baker, Kevin White, Easop Winston
This next three game stretch of Falcons, Titans, and Eagles are all winnable with this receiving core. They did step up in the Tampa Bay game and can be good enough for the next three, but the two games after that against the Bills and Cowboys, the Saints better have some help other than Michael Thomas. At the rate it’s going Thomas could be out another week or two, plus he needs to get back into the rhythm of things since he hasn’t played football since January 17th, that’s 289 days to this date (November 2nd). It’s important that when Thomas does come back he is 100% and is at no risk of another injury.
The bottom line is that the Saints need some help outside of Michael Thomas and with the trade deadline over, how else can they approach upgrading the position?
There is one way that a lot of people know of and that’s free agency, but of course that isn’t the best source of finding a reliable player during the season to upgrade your wide receiver room, because, well they’re free agents for a reason. And now with the trade deadline over, if a team wishes to release a veteran player who began the 2021 season with four or more years of experience, the player will now be subject to the waiver system (information via Nick Underhill).
For those uncertain how the waiver system works, a player with four or less seasons is waived rather than cut/released.
“When a player is waived, their contract is not yet terminated. Instead, they go on the waiver wire, where teams can put in a claim for them. If a team claims them, then he joins the new team on his current contract. If no team claims him in a designated period (usually by noon of the next day), his contract is terminated and he becomes an unrestricted free agent.” -prideofdetroit.com
Now all players are waived rather than cut or released with the trade deadline being over.
The waiver wire order is similar to the NFL draft order, the worst team has first dibs. The Saints in this case would have the 23rd pick so that’s their place on the waiver wire.
Desean Jackson and the Rams agreed to part ways and now he is on the waiver wire, he has to not be claimed by any of the 22 in front of the Saints in order for them to put in a claim to get Jackson. Hopefully that makes sense.
The other way the Saints can get a player on their roster outside of free agency is the practice squad. Every team has a receiver or two on their practice squad and there is such a thing as practice squad stealing. So if there was a guy on the Bills practice squad and the Saints wanted him, they would have to sign that player to the active roster to get him unless the opposing team (in this case the Bills) had a practice squad protection on that player for the week, meaning no other team could sign them. Hopefully that makes sense as well.
Now with that being said here are some guys currently available and guys the Saints could possibly look into.
John Brown: Brown was cut last Tuesday from the Broncos practice squad and is now a free agent. The speedy receiver is currently in his eighth NFL season. With the receiver market in free agency being slim pickings Brown could be a guy the Saints possibly work out and if things go well maybe give him a shot.
Golden Tate: Tate has been someone that has been rumored to be traded to the Saints before and wouldn’t be a bad fit. He’s someone that the quarterback, whoever it may be, could rely on in short and intermediate situations which has been a struggle this year. He’s currently a free agent.
Desean Jackson: Jackson and the Rams just parted ways, and as I said earlier he has to pass waiver claims. There are currently 22 teams ahead of the Saints in waiver claims so it’s a long shot, but who knows. Back in 2019 that’s how the Saints landed Janoris Jenkins and we all thought he wouldn’t pass waivers. Jackson would definitely bring some help to this young inexperienced receiving core and would add another deep threat other than Deonte Harris.
David Moore: Moore is a guy who should not be a free agent. He has the size and the skill to be on a few teams rosters, but given the lack of opportunity he isn’t. He spent his first four seasons in the league with the Seahawks and has spent the past year on a few practice squads, but with him available now I would hope the Saints at least work him out and give him a visit.
Dez Bryant: I doubt this happens, but with the Saints needing help and bringing back some guys this year who used to be on the team, maybe give Dez a call and get him a workout.
Willie Snead, Panthers Practice Squad: When Snead was released by the Raiders about a week ago a reunion between him and the Saints was ideal. He definitely would bring some help and would be an upgrade to what the current situation is at receiver.
Robert Foster, Cowboys Practice Squad: Not the biggest name but someone that could help out the offense right now. Foster, a 6’2 receiver who is currently in his fourth year in the league could be the Saints rely on over the middle due to his size. His first season in the league, with Buffalo, he has 27 receptions for 541 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Keke Coutee, Colts Practice Squad: Coutee is someone who can fit the scheme right now for the Saints. He has skill and can play outside and slot receiver. He isn’t the biggest guy but he’s someone who would be a big upgrade from what the Saints have now.
Laquon Treadwell, Jaguars Practice Squad: Treadwell is another guy with decent size at 6’2 who could be someone the Sain ya use over the middle. The Saints have been lacking a guy to throw to over the middle due to a lack of experience. Treadwell could be someone who could make some noise under Sean Payton given an opportunity.
Anthony Miller, Steelers Practice Squad: Miller is someone who I’m surprised isn’t making plays on Sunday. He’s explosive and is a deep threat that the Saints could use alongside Deonte Harris. He’s currently in his fourth season and spent 2018-2020 with the Bears, then some time with the Texans and is now on the Steelers practice squad.
Phillip Dorsett, Seahawks Practice Squad: Like some other guys I mentioned Dorsett could be a deep threat guy that Sean uses. He could line up in the slot, possibly running back for a possible screen and just be another speedy guy on the roster.
Written By Kadin Janisch
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