Saints UDFA Profile: Malik Flowers
Rashid Shaheed emerged out of nowhere to become a major part of the New Orleans Saints offense in 2022. An undrafted rookie from Weber State, Shaheed took a jet sweep for a 44-yard touchdown on his first NFL offensive touch, then caught a 53-yard scoring pass on his second. He'd become the team’s Number 2 receiver to fellow rookie Chris Olave and had 24 receptions for 397 yards over the season's last eight games.
Shaheed is just the latest example of the success that the Saints have had with overlooked wideouts from little-known schools. Deonte Harty (Assumption) and Willie Snead (Bowling Green) both had productive years with the franchise. Lance Moore (Toledo) and Marques Colston (Hofstra) are among the greatest players in team history.
It was originally believed that Shaheed had a chance to make last year's roster as a kick returner. He entered the NFL as the NCAA record-holder with 7 kick returns for scores. Shaheed averaged 9.7 per punt return and 22.9 on kickoffs as a rookie. However, it was his explosiveness and underrated route running that took the league by surprise.
The Saints added another undrafted rookie this offseason that comes in with a similar resume'. Could he be the latest in a line of overlooked gems?
WR - Malik Flowers
Montana
6'2" 202-Lbs.
Montana Grizzlies receiver Malik Flowers (19) spins off of Eastern Washington Eagles defensive back Calin Criner (4). Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY
Also a 110m high school hurdles standout in California, Flowers saw limited action his freshman year for Montana. Upon seeing the field in 2018, he immediately became the regular kick returner for the team and had one score on a kickoff return and another with a punt.
Flowers led the Big Sky Conference in kickoff return average and yards in 2019, which included two touchdowns. He was third across the FCS with a 30.5 average on kick returns in 2020, returning two more for scores. He'd also see significant time at receiver, catching 14 passes for 210 yards and two scores.
Flowers took another kickoff for a touchdown in 2022. That gave him seven career kick/punt returns for scores, tying him for the all-time NCAA lead with new Saints teammate Shaheed. His 2,659 kickoff return yards also set a new Big Sky career record.
While mostly a return specialist for the Grizzlies, Flowers also developed as a receiver. In 2022 he caught 32 passes for 460 yards and two scores, giving him 46 receptions for 670 yards and four touchdowns over his last two seasons. He also rushed the ball 16 times for 251 yards.
Like Shaheed, and Harty before him, Flowers has an uphill climb just to make the roster. He'll compete against a receiving corps that has Olave, Shaheed, All-Pro Michael Thomas, veteran Bryan Edwards, and newly added sixth-round choice A.T. Perry.
As a route runner, Flowers wasn't asked to do much in college. He was mostly a deep threat and will need to show some route variation and precision in training camp. His ball skills in traffic are just average and he didn't show great sharpness out of his breaks.
The competition level Flowers faced on the FCS level also raises questions. He won't be able to simply run by defenders at the NFL level. On the bright side, he has the size and muscular build to handle the position physically and developed well as a receiver over his last two collegiate seasons.
Flowers, like Shaheed and Harty, will make an NFL roster based on his return skills. He's a marvelous open field runner, showing sharp cutting ability and the speed to outrun angles. Flowers also has terrific natural vision and spots open running lanes in an instant. He also has an underrated ability to break tackles, fighting through defenders for extra yards and showing quick reacceleration after breaking a tackle.
Those open field skills could translate well as a receiver. Shaheed and Harty were able to transfer their kick return explosiveness to the wideout position. Flowers possesses those same traits to turn short passes into big gains. Despite his inexperience, he also shows good tracking skills on deep throws and has the speed to take a top off a defense.
Montana Grizzlies receiver Malik Flowers (19) carries the ball against the Eastern Washington Eagles. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
The fact that Shaheed will likely be the Saints primary returner makes even a tougher battle for Flowers. However, New Orleans has kept six wideouts on their active roster in recent seasons and could want Shaheed to focus on offensive duties.
Malik Flowers will have to turn heads in training camp on special teams and show some developmental traits as a receiver. If he does, he could add his name to an impressive list of overlooked college receivers that made an impact for the New Orleans Saints.
