Nick Toon looks to overcome, and become the Saints third wide receiver
It’s been a rough start to Nick Toon‘s young career, hands down. Between injury and failed opportunity, the New Orleans Saints wide receiver has seen his fair share of struggle over the past three years since being taken out of Wisconsin in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-4 big man screams potential, drawing comparisons to Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson three years ago as a rookie. However, he’s seen time in just 16 games with only five starts in a three-year span.
Nick Toon spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve. In 2013, he was considered by many a breakout candidate, but caught a total of four passes on the year, spending half the season on the inactive list.
Things began to change a season ago in 2014, but not until the end. Rookie wideout Brandin Cooks fell to a season-ending hand injury in Week 11. Nick Toon would come in and immediately contribute, posting 17 catches for 215 yards and a touchdown in the final six contests of the year. His potential finally began to surface, and heading into minicamp and training camp, Toon looks to carry that momentum into 2015.
With the departure of All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham, the New Orleans Saints could certainly use an additional big body in the mix to haul in those red zone targets. With Kenny Stills moving on as well, Toon remains a top candidate for the job, but he’ll be involved in what is expected to be a heated battle for that third spot after Marques Colston and Brandin Cooks.
Second-year undrafted free agents Brandon Coleman and Seantavius Jones continue to impress, so Nick Toon must find a way to separate himself from the competition. With a total of 12 wideouts on the roster at the moment, it’s not going to be easy. But aside from Joe Morgan, with a little more experience in New Orleans and a likely better understanding of the playbook, Toon should currently have the upper hand.
The Saints begin minicamp next Tuesday, followed by training camp, which kicks off July 30 at the Greenbrier in West Virginia. Nick Toon’s journey this summer will be a storyline to keep an eye on.
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