Saints Free Agency Focus: Wide Receiver

Keeping Michael Thomas to go along with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed was a great move for New Orleans. However, the Saints would be wise to add additional wideout depth for their new quarterback.

Bob Rose | Mar 18, 2023

In this story:

New Orleans Saints

Almost everyone was surprised when it was announced that WR Michael Thomas was going to remain with the New Orleans Saints in 2023.

They were able to avoid paying him the $31 million roster bonus due on March 17, instead agreeing to a one-year deal at a relative bargain at $10 million, with another $5 in potential incentives. Yes, Thomas has missed 40 of the last 50 games, but is still one of the league's best when in the lineup. Keeping him gives the offense a reliable and physical intermediate weapon while eliminating a big need.

We saw this offense severely limited with Thomas out of the lineup, especially in 2021. In 2022, rookie first-round choice Chris Olave looked like a potential star and they got surprising production from undrafted rookie Rashid Shaheed. However, the passing attack would have still benefited from an unstoppable intermediate weapon like Thomas.

The Saints receiving corps still has questionable depth, especially with Thomas' injury history. Tre'Quan Smith certainly isn't the answer. Jarvis Landry and Marquez Callaway were allowed to test the open market to test the market after disappointing seasons.

There are some rumors that the Raiders are listening to trade offers for WR Hunter Renfrow. A former teammate of new Saints QB Derek Carr, Renfrow also carries a $13.2 million salary cap hit in 2023.

It's more likely that the Saints bolster receiving depth through the draft. If they choose to do it through free agency, here are a few names to watch.

Notable Free Agent WRs

Jan 5, 2020; Minnesota Vikings receiver Adam Thielen (19) catches a pass against New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23). Mandatory Credit: Derick Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

*age and previous team in parentheses

• Adam Thielen (32 - Vikings)
• Mack Hollins (29 - Raiders)
• DJ Chark (26 - Lions)
• Mecole Hardman (25 - Chiefs)
• Marvin Jones (33 - Jaguars)
• Scotty Miller (25 - Buccaneers)
• Olamide Zaccheaus (25 - Falcons)

Thielen would be a terrific addition to any offense. However, he's been more prone to injuries and has had a drop in production after nine years. Thielen had at least 925 yards receiving in four of five years between 2016 and 2020 and 70 receptions for 716 yards in 2022. He could still add value to a receiving corps, but the major questions would be how much value and at what cost?

While reuniting Carr and Renfrow is certainly enticing, another of Carr's former targets is available as a free agent. Hollins is coming off the best production of his six-year career with 57 catches for 690 yards in 2022 with Las Vegas. At 6'4" and 221-Lbs., Hollins is a big wideout with downfield speed who can excel in the slot.

Dec 18, 2022; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates with receiver Mack Hollins (10) after a touchdown against the New England Patriots. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Chark, a former LSU product, was developing into one of the league's better receivers before a fractured ankle in 2021. He bounced back well with Detroit last season with over 90 yards in three of the last six contests. Chark is a tall (6'4") but lanky wideout with excellent leaping ability and reliable hands.

Hardman is a speedster capable of being a lethal game-breaking threat for an offense. He had 25 catches for 297 yards in the first eight games of 2022 before missing the last nine contests with injury. The abilities are certainly there, but the production has been erratic over his four-year career.

Consistency has never been an issue for the 6'2" and 199-Lb. Marvin Jones. An 11-year veteran, Jones has had at least 50 catches and 700 yards seven times in his career. Even as a complementary piece for Jacksonville in 2022, he recorded 46 catches for 529 yards.

Scotty Miller is a small receiver at just 5'9" and 174-Lbs., but had a reputation of coming up big during his four years with Tampa Bay. Miller is a shifty playmaker with excellent burst and the route precision to play the slot. He quickly earned the trust of Tom Brady, turning that comfort into career-high production of 33 catches for 501 yards in 2020.

The return of Thomas to go along with Olave and Shaheed make it fairly unlikely that the Saints spend their first round pick on a wideout. However, depth is still needed at the position. They may still choose to address this in the draft.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) catches a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys. © Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Unio / USA TODAY NETWORK

Cedric Tillman (Tennessee) could be a Day 2 steal. Bryce Ford-Wheaton (West Virginia), Rakim Jarrett (Maryland), Marvin Mims (Oklahoma), and Parker Washington (Penn State) are a few of several receivers that will be available in the middle rounds.

The free agent market for receivers isn't as ridiculously overpriced as it was a year ago. Even while keeping Thomas, the Saints would be wise to add wideout depth for their new quarterback with a free agent or draft pick.

Notable Free Agent WRs

Read More Saints News