Saints Mailbag: Wide Receiver Outlook, Hunter Renfrow, Free Agency, Tight End Room

The latest round of Saints questions focuses on the skill positions, Hunter Renfrow, and free agency outlook.

The Saints are back at it on Tuesday with their three-day minicamp, and we'll be there with all the latest and greatest from the practices. It's the last action we'll get to see until training camp, and we'll continue to pass the time with your mailbag questions. Our latest batch focuses on the offense, the outlook for success, Hunter Renfrow, and more. As always, thank you for your submissions.

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Who makes the cut at wide receiver?

with 4 spots being locked ( MT, olave , shaheed and smith )if u had to choose out of all other wrs to make the 53 who would u say makes it ?

— Bre (@dontstopbre23s) June 9, 2023

I would argue that only three spots are locked with Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Michael Thomas. I do understand putting Tre'Quan Smith here as a veteran of the team, but I honestly think he's on the roster bubble. One strong showing at OTAs doesn't mean much, but it was interesting hearing Dennis Allen saying that he is finally healthy after apparently playing hurt the past couple of seasons. If the roster was assembled today, then he and Keith Kirkwood would be in probably.

This is going to be one of the best battles of training camp, as there's cases to be made for many of the receivers in the room. Veterans like James Washington and Bryan Edwards would presumably battle Kirkwood and Smith, while A.T. Perry has had some struggles early on, but give him a little time. Some players don't practice well and show up in game situations and vice versa. Kawaan Baker is still around and is more of a special teams presence, and I definitely want to see more of Shaq Davis and Malik Flowers. Flowers is someone to keep a really close eye on.

Is the Hunter Renfrow interest real?

Do the Saints really have an interest in Hunter Renfrow, or is that all Raider wishful thinking? Can Smoke Monday make the 53? I love his Falcon hatred.

— Boxcar Bergeron (@boxcarbergeron) June 9, 2023

What's interesting is that the Raiders haven't received any trade offers here. He was at OTAs for Las Vegas, and the obstacle with acquiring him lies more in the contract. That's something I touched on in a late May mailbag. I'm sure something will come together for a team that's looking to improve their situation, especially in the slot. Rumors spread into reality sometimes, but it absolutely makes sense of why the Saints would be interested. Things can certainly change and come together quickly, and Renfrow's ability would be a welcomed addition in the offense.

As far as Smoke Monday, I touched on him in a recent mailbag.

Will the Raiders infusion work?

What track record of success do all these Raider influences have? The coaches to players to consultants seem to have Raider ties. What makes leadership so sure these are people we should be modeling the team around?

— J (@discount_dur) June 9, 2023

The stability of that organization has always been a point of contention. When Dennis Allen was tabbed as the head coach, it wasn't because of what he did as the head coach of the Raiders. It was because of what he did with the Saints for over 10 years. When Drew Brees left, the shadow was there for the guys behind him for the past couple of seasons. When Sean Payton left, the same could be said for Dennis Allen. 

Continuity is something we expected to see more of, but that wasn't the case when coaching wasn't exactly on the same page. Allen brought in guys that he trusts and has worked with before, no different to what Payton did. 

The bigger sticking point is that now that it's all done, there shouldn't be anymore excuses. You bring in the coaches and players you feel you need to succeed, now it's time to see the rewards on the field. If this team doesn't get into the postseason this year, then it's a massive failure on everyone. 

Why aren't we seeing any moves?

It pretty lugubrious that the saints front office never made a run at signing Frank Clark or anybody else at that matter. Saints aren't even in conversation for trade talk. How you expect to win championship.

— Inell Sutoon (@ISutoon88571) June 9, 2023

This time of the year is about playing the long game, so to speak. I understand that when a player becomes available, they all somehow fit the Saints. However, what I would say is most of the moves will come before training camp or even during it. The team might have missed out on Frank Clark, but others like Yannick Ngakoue would be a bigger and more rewarding target in my opinion. Just because it's not out there doesn't mean the team isn't working to improve. Being a paper champion during these months doesn't mean success.

Does the team need DeAndre Hopkins if Michael Thomas is healthy? Probably not. Does adding Dalvin Cook make sense? Not really, unless something detrimental would happen to Alvin Kamara, but even with that, I like the combo of Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller. Would Hunter Renfrow be a killer addition? Absolutely. Are there areas the team needs to address over the next couple of months that is unsettling? You bet, with defensive tackle and linebacker being the main ones I'd look at. Let's see how it plays out over the next couple of months, but remember that the team is always looking to improve.

Nov 20, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (83) celebrates his touchdown catch with wide receiver Chris Olave (12) in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

What are your expectations for the tight end group?

Wonder how the TE group will do this year. Seems like an abundance of options. Will Pete use them correctly?

— Monkey Heart (@Tracy10093680) June 9, 2023

I'd fully expect Juwan Johnson to take a major leap this season, and adding in Foster Moreau might be on the of most underrated moves of the season. You add that in with Taysom Hill, and it's hard not to be excited about what the tight end room can do. I'd even throw Lucas Krull into the conversation right now as someone who could take a strong leap. Clancy Barone's addition as the new tight ends coach will pay off in a big way too.

One thing I'd point to with their outlook is what the Raiders did last year. Their tight end combo of Darren Waller and Foster Moreau combined for 61 catches, 808 yards, and 5 touchdowns with longs of 33 and 34 yards. Waller was obviously hurt last season and didn't even sniff his 2019 or 2020 outputs, but was still a good combo with Moreau. 

Collectively, the Saints tight end room finished with 71 catches for 805 yards and 10 touchdowns. That was with four players and the bulk of the production coming from Johnson. The drop-off between him and Adam Trautman was tremendous. At worst-case, you're getting more consistency out of the room with more upside.