New Orleans Saints: Handing out year-end awards for Saints
By Drake Lohse
Rookie of The Year
Deonte Harris
Harris is a no-brainer.
After returning a kick 78 yards in a preseason game against the Jets, Sean Payton counted his blessings and took a chance on the 22-year-old undrafted receiver, and the Saints may have finally (knock on wood) found a solution to their return game woes.
The 2019-2020 Saints resembled the 2009 Super Bowl Saints in countless ways: A defense that might bend, never breaks, and can create critical turnovers game by game; a high-flying offense; and an explosive returner that sets Drew Brees up with a short field.
Not that Drew Brees necessarily needs a short field, but the Saints haven’t had a reliable returner since Courtney Roby’s franchise-record 61-yard kickoff return against the Vikings in the NFC Championship game.
Yes, Kamara has shown that he’s capable of running one back, but if you’re shuddering in fear whenever you see #41 back there waiting like a scared parent, you’re not alone.
Harris earned his stripes as a Saint this past season; the rookie scored his first career touchdown on punt return in Seattle, giving the team a much-needed spark. He would’ve had another return touchdown against the Bears had it not been for a penalty.
Payton would be wise to make sure to hold on Harris for as long as he possibly can.