Why The Saints Receiving Corps Is Too Low in PFF Rankings

Read where a national publication has the New Orleans receiving corps ranked as a unit heading into the 2023 season.

The New Orleans Saints ranked just 16th in passing production last season. That followed up an abysmal dead-last ranking in 2021. Even in 2020, the last year in the illustrious career of Drew Brees, they ranked just 19th. 

Part of those struggles was because of a quarterback carousel that saw the team start five different players in the 34 games since Brees retired. Another big reason was the lack of weapons at wide receiver. 

Record-breaking WR Michael Thomas has missed 40 of the last 50 contests with foot and ankle injuries. Without him for nine games in 2020 and all of 2021, the passing game was virtually non-existent. Tre'Quan Smith, a 2018 third-round choice, was all but invisible. Former undrafted wideouts Deonte Harty and Marquez Callaway were more suited to be complementary weapons. 

Thomas missed the last 14 games of 2022 and veteran acquisition Jarvis Landry was a shadow of his former self. This time, the Saints got major contributions from two rookies to at least slightly offset the loss of Thomas. 

New Orleans Saints receiver Rashid Shaheed (89) catches a pass behind Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant (27). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY

First-round choice Chris Olave became just the third player in franchise history to have over 1,000 yards receiving as a rookie. Undrafted WR Rashid Shaheed was the team’s biggest surprise of last season. Tight end Juwan Johnson, a converted wideout, also had a breakout campaign. 

Pro Football Focus writer Trevor Sikkema ranked that site's NFL receiving corps in an article on June 15. Incredibly, PFF ranked New Orleans at just 21st entering the 2023-24 season. Here's what Sikkema had to say about the Saints ranking.

21. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

I might be one of the few, but I still believe Michael Thomas has plenty left in the tank to make the Saints' receiving corps a solid one to bet on. Thomas played just three games last year and missed all of 2021 due to injury, as well. But in those three games last season, he caught 16 of his 22 targets for 171 yards and three touchdowns. Chris Olave also had a great rookie season, earning an 82.9 receiving grade, and Rashid Shaheed averaged 17.4 yards per reception.

New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas (13) catches a pass over Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell (24). Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

HUH?

There's no doubt that the Cincinnati Bengals own the best trio of wideouts in the NFL. They hold PFF's top spot. Other units like the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, and San Francisco 49ers hold much-deserved high rankings. 

Based on recent results, the New Orleans Saints have nowhere near a top-10 receiving corps. However, PFF also cited ''potential'' for several other teams ranked ahead of the Saints, but obviously ignored that factor in their case.

Entering 2023, the Saints expect to have a vastly improved passing attack. Quarterback Derek Carr was brought in to lead the offense. Thomas is back, and if healthy, gives Carr a terrific trio of playmakers with Olave and Shaheed. Veteran wideouts Bryan Edwards, James Washington, Keke Coutee, and Lynn Bowden were also added this offseason. They're expected to give depth to a unit that's had little in recent years. 

Tight end Foster Moreau was also an underrated signing. He'll join Juwan Johnson and the versatile Taysom Hill in a much-improved tight end position. Don't forget RB Alvin Kamara, the league's most dynamic receiver out of the backfield.

New Orleans Saints receiver Chris Olave (12) after a catch against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27). Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Tight end and running back were two factors PFF mentioned in some of their other ranked teams. However, it was conveniently overlooked in the evaluation of the Saints. 

Regardless of how you feel about where the New Orleans passing game is ranked in preseason, the team has the look of a much more explosive attack. A run for a playoff spot in 2023 likely depends on those improvements.