New Orleans Saints 2015 Year in Review: Willie Snead
Willie Snead made some big noise at New Orleans Saints training camp, and that momentum carried right on over into the regular season.
The 2015 New Orleans Saints were just 16 yards shy of having two different wide receivers break 1,000 yards on the year for the first time since 2012, but that’s no knock on Willie Snead.
Willie Snead initially signed with the Cleveland Browns after going undrafted out of Ball State in 2014. He was cut before the season began and soon joined the Carolina Panthers practice squad, eventually signing to the Saints practice squad in December of 2014.
Alongside fellow undrafted free agent Brandon Coleman, Willie Snead made a ton of noise during training camp and preseason. It was clear he wanted a job down on the bayou, and a job he got after he made the final 53-man roster as the team’s fourth wideout behind Marques Colston, Brandin Cooks and Coleman. He took full advantage of it.
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Snead quickly climbed the totem pole, finishing third on the team in receptions with 69 and second in receiving yards 984, while adding three touchdowns in the process. If it weren’t for a nagging calf injury that kept him sidelined Week 13, he very likely would have reached that 1,000-yard milestone.
Striking gold is the name of the game when it comes to New Orleans hitting on overlooked talent in the undrafted free agent market. Nobody-turned-somebody Willie Snead was nothing short of remarkable in his first year with the Saints.
Speed, excellent route running, and great hands define his game, which often draws comparisons to former Saints fan favorite Lance Moore. But I’m sure Willie Snead is up for the task to take over that beloved role in the Big Easy.
Next: 5 Saints who impressed the heck out of us in 2015
Emerging as a reliable target for quarterback Drew Brees, Snead lived up to every bit of hype that surrounded him after making all that noise at training camp. Despite the Saints’ struggles in 2015, Willie Snead was one of the bright spots, and he has a very bright future ahead of him.