Saints Training Camp Preview: Wide Receiver

With new quarterback Derek Carr in the building, the New Orleans Saints are looking to get a lot of production from their wide receiver group, a fun position to watch during Training Camp

Not many major changes happened at the top of the New Orleans Saints wide receiver depth chart. The team's "Big Three" of Michael Thomas, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are expected to be the standard-bearers at the position in 2023. But the Saints know, especially with injury concerns ever-present, that depth is what could end up being the difference between a top-flight offense that wows or a top-flight offense that never reaches its potential.

Jun 13, 2023; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith (10) and wide receiver Kawaan Baker (15) and wide receiver Chris Olave (12) look on during minicamp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

This is one of the few position groups along the team's roster that did not see additions created out of necessity by departures. The room's biggest names are still there. But the offseason losses were mostly role players. Wideouts like Marquez Callaway are Kevin White were not brought back this season. Callaway joins fellow former New Orleans receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey with the Denver Broncos and former Saints coach Sean Payton. Meanwhile White awaits further opportunities.

Players like Tre'Quan Smith, Keith Kirkwood and Kawaan Baker all return. As does local product Kirk Merritt, though he has spent his offseason with the running backs according to running backs coach Joel Thomas.

The newest free agency additions all bring a blend of specialized talent and NFL experience. Both of which are undoubtedly important for depth and rotational players. Former Las Vegas Raider Bryan Edwards reunites with quarterback Derek Carr in New Orleans. Former Pittsburgh Steeler James Washington brings another third-level threat to the roster while wide receivers Keke Coutee and Lynn Bowden bring potential impact from multiple areas of the game. Another valuable asset.

The Saints also added another wideout in this year's NFL draft by trading up and selecting Wake Forest receiver A.T. Perry. Perry was a gem of this year's draft class and the fact that New Orleans was able to bring him in as late as Round 6 is impressive. A lot of hype and expectation surrounds Perry, a player often compared to former Saints great Marques Colston. Alongside him, South Carolina State wide receiver Shaq Davis was also added as a rookie.

So the Saints paid a lot of attention to this room, despite no major losses at the position. Perhaps some would see veteran wide receiver Jarvis Landry as that detrimental loss, but because of injuries in 2022 he never really got the chance to have the impact many expected.

The challenge now is figuring out how to whittle this large group of pass-catching threats down to just five or six come the 53-man roster cutdown. That is why this group will be so interesting and entertaining to watch over the course of training camp and the preseason. One of the biggest questions New Orleans will need to answer is whether its offseason additions will provide the depth that can help contribute along with, and perhaps in place of in case of injury, the top three wideouts.

Heading into training camp, here is a look at the wide receiver room as it stands:

Saints Training Camp Roster - WR

Jun 13, 2023; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) during passing drills during minicamp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

• Michael Thomas

• Chris Olave

• Rashid Saheed

• Bryan Edwards

• Tre'Quan Smith

• A.T. Perry*

• James Washington

• Keith Kirkwood

• Kirk Merritt

• Lynn Bowden

• Keke Coutee

• Kawaan Baker

• Shaq Davis*

(* = Rookie)

Sep 11, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) celebrates after a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Locks

The return of Thomas gets a "take two" this season after last year's big return was cut short after just three regular season appearances. This year, the 2019 offensive player of the year could be a huge difference-maker considering the pair of wideouts he will now be joining. Getting Thomas's contested catch ability back should be a huge boost for the team's offense. Missing his 2022 80% catch rate in contested situations down the stretch could have been the difference of extending drives and maybe even winning games.

Olave was consistently the team's No. 1 option and most reliable weapon on offense in 2022. Now, he comes into the 2023 season more bulked up (up to 192 pounds from 187 last year with a goal of reaching 195) and ready to contribute more in contested situations. However, he may see his game open up even further with quarterback Derek Carr under center. Carr usually places passes accurately allowing players to pick up more yards after catch. While Olave does not have the reputation of creating with the ball in his hands, if his quarterback can put his speed in the right position he may be able to add impact in that area as well.

Shaheed is far more than a third-level through, he has shown throughout OTAs that he can be a three-level threat. Yes, his deep speed is his best asset, but so are his reliable hands. With the deep threat that he presents, he has done a good job over the offseason so far showing the multitude of ways to use it. Because defensive backs have to buy his speed when he releases upfield, they are quick to flip their hips and prepare for a vertical route. Recently, Shaheed has show a new layer to his game, selling his verticality and then breaking into his route after the defender commits. If this becomes consistent, his game expands as a route runner, therefore raising his ceiling for more than just big shots downfield.

Jan 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (89) during warmups against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Fighting for a Spot

It may be Edwards that has the next-best chance to the make the Saints' roster because of his familiarity with Carr. They two were together with the Raiders in an offense that is very similar to what they will be running together in New Orleans. If Edwards can re-capture some of the excitement he generated his rookie season, he could be the next guy behind the "Big Three" in the Big East.

It says a lot the the Saints traded away former tight end Adam Trautman in order to move up and select Perry. That should be enough of an indication that they believe in his ability to make the 53-man roster. He will have to show that he can bring down some of the contested catches he struggled to reel in earlier this offseason. But if he starts to bring in some of the 50/50 ball opportunities he will get during camp, it will be hard to keep him off the field in 2023.

Smith is an interesting case. He is the second-longest tenured player on the roster after being drafted by the Saints in 2018. He and Kirkwood joined the Saints during the same season, but Kirkwood joined the Carolina Panthers for a season. Surprisingly though, despite his familiarity with the system and team, Smith has struggled to be a consistent contributor. Injuries have played a role though, especially with the tough catches and situations he has played through. But it has mostly been his blocking prowess that has worked in his favor. That could be challenged by Edwards and Perry.

Washington is the next-best deep threat with NFL experience on the team. He may not be as fast as Olave and Shaheed, but his comfort with stacking defenders, working off of leverage, selling his vertical push and more are all quintessential elements one must find success with in order to operate down field. Washington brings that extra layer in a way that others do not. If the Saints want a backup to make the roster that has downfield ability, it may be Washington's role to lose.

Don't Forget

Kirkwood knows the Saints system very well. He sees his role in New Orleans as that of a veteran leader, helping the younger guys find their way. That alone shows the high-character that the Saints love when it comes to the sixth-year wideout. He should be considered a shoo-in for a veteran practice squad spot as long as he can stay heathy. He can play an important role in other players' development along with his own.

Merritt and Bowden are tricky are pin down. They both have the ability to assist in the return game, but also have spent a lot of time with running backs whether in New Orleans or otherwise. The Saints listed Bowden as a running back in their initial press release announcing his signing, but he is designated as a wide receiver on the team website. Similarly, Merritt is also listed at wideout, but has spent his offseason at running back. It will be hard to factor them in if they are not spending their full-time with one position. However, if New Orleans would like another Ty Montgomery-type on the roster, both should contend for that role.

Baker and Davis are likely pushing for practice squad spots but will be doing so in two different avenues. Baker is a hyper-athletic player that has been noted as turning into a running back with the ball in his hands. He welcomes contact from smaller defensive backs while being able to out-pace safeties and linebackers. He just simply has not yet been able to put it all together with the team just yet. Could he change that pattern in 2023? As for Davis, there simply are not that many 6-foot-5, 200+ pound wideouts that can do what he does. He is an above-the-rim style players that could be a camp standout with splashy plays. But he will need to show that he can contribute at some capacity on special teams to lock up a spot. Training camp will be huge for both of these players.