New Orleans Saints can’t go into 2020 trusting Tre’Quan Smith

After two rough seasons, the New Orleans Saints cannot enter 2020 trusting Tre’Quan Smith to be a top-two receiver on their team.

The New Orleans Saints were given little production from their receivers outside of superstar Michael Thomas. They need to add options and not continue to hang their trust on what will be third-year receiver Tre’Quan Smith.

It’s sad.

We’ve seen Tre’Quan Smith absolutely dominant games in the past.

The team’s third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Smith has played in 26 games, starting 13. However, this past season, he only had five games in which he was on the field for over 70% of the offensive snaps.

Although Smith matched his five career touchdowns in 2019, giving him 10 for his career, he was targeted just 25 times. What’s more concerning is that Smith has no breakout games, not having a single performance of more than 60 yards in 2019.

His rookie season was a different story though. Smith has two 100-yard performances, one of which was where the then-rookie totaled 157 yards and ten receptions, posting Michael Thomas-like numbers.

After a disappointing second season, the Saints need to find another veteran leader to be put beside Thomas. That was a huge issue with their offense this past season, although it did still hang with some of the league’s best.

Smith has potential; there’s no arguing that.

But, there’s no guarantee that he’ll both be on the field and used. That’s what makes trusting Smith difficult. He was used less per game in his second season, not showing signs of progressions while also struggling with injury.

That said, bringing in a player an A.J. Green-like talent may help relieve some pressure off Smith.

However, they’ll eventually need to unchain him, but the Saints need to see that consistent production return before handing him the keys to the No. 2 receiver.