State of the Saints: Wide Receiver

Whether the Saints get Michael Thomas back or not, they're still going to need to add another player or two at the wide receiver position.

John Hendrix | Mar 13, 2023

State of the Saints: Wide Receiver /

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New Orleans Saints

The Saints offense certainly seems to have a lot more upside to offer in 2023 after landing Derek Carr. However, they're still going to have to address a few things on both sides of the ball to position themselves to win the division and also be able to threaten in the postseason.

We're almost to the end of our State of the Saints series, right before the start of the new league year. Today focuses on the wide receiver spot. Even if New Orleans gets Michael Thomas back, they shouldn't put all their eggs in that basket.

Wide Receiver Overview

Players Under Contract: Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Tre'Quan Smith, Keith Kirkwood, Kirk Merritt, Kawaan Baker (reserve/future)

Free Agent Outlook: Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry, Marquez Callaway (RFA), Deonte Harty (RFA)

Priority Level: High

For starters, the window isn't closed for a Michael Thomas return, and it'll be very interesting to see if New Orleans can negotiate a return now that Derek Carr is their quarterback. However, we don't expect the Saints to stop there. One of the biggest issues with the offense last season was the fact that the team was unable to move the chains on 3rd Down plays. That's largely in part because of them not having a possession style receiver that could make contested catches.

Marquez Callaway is reportedly a player the Saints would like to have back in their building, but they're not going to use the restricted tender on him. It's also not premature to rule out reuniting with Jarvis Landry after a disappointing season with Carr in place. However, expect New Orleans to at least look elsewhere first. It'll also be interesting to see whether someone like a Mack Hollins would be interested in following Carr.

The Saints hit gold in a big way last season with Chris Olave and the emergence of Rashid Shaheed. Shaheed is expected to have a larger role going forward, and Olave is primed for a huge second-year leap. Turning to the draft again would also be a smart move for New Orleans, and while they have more pressing needs to address earlier, someone like Wake Forest's A.T. Perry by the third round would be a home run for the team.

We're not expecting any big splashes for the Saints to start free agency, but as they always do, they'll work in the shadows to try to get the right talent and fits for their building.

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Published Mar 13, 2023

JOHN HENDRIX

I officially started covering the New Orleans Saints & other NFL topics in 2011. My work has been featured on various outlets over the years. I worked closely with Skyhorse Publishing in Fall 2018 to update the book, Tales From the New Orleans Saints Sidelines, which filled in all Saints material from the 2013-2017 seasons. Prior to joining Saints News Network, I served as the Managing Editor of SB Nation's Canal Street Chronicles for 3.5 years, and before that with FanSided's Who Dat Dish as the Managing Editor for several years. I have also had experiences of being a freelance Saints reporter for The Sun Herald in Biloxi, MS and a contributing writer for WDSU, a local NBC TV station in New Orleans. I have appeared on a vast amount of TV and Radio shows, both nationally and locally. For tips, comments, or suggestions, please contact me at johnhendrix@saintsnews.net