Saints: Team’s 6th wide receiver spot will be biggest training camp battle

The New Orleans Saints will have a tough time cutting down their roster to 53 players, and the biggest decision may come at wide receiver.

For the New Orleans Saints, training camp may bring some welcome surprises.

As many call for more stern protocols in place due to the novel coronavirus continuing to spread, the Saints should have their focus on solidifying their roster, one that will undoubtedly be among the best in the NFC.

The Saints improved their 13-3 roster. They went out and added Emmanuel Sanders and Malcolm Jenkins. They drafted Zack Baun and Cesar Ruiz, two players that should have an impact on their respective side of the ball.

That said, the most testing battle of the many the team will have to sort through will come at receiver.

Sanders, Michael Thomas and Deonte Harris are surefire players that’ll undoubtedly secure a roster spot. Also on that list is Tre’Quan Smith, who will be entering his third season in the league.

Smith had a solid rookie season but injury has plagued his entire career. With Keith Kirkwood in Carolina with Teddy Bridgewater, the Saints will likely add Austin Carr, who they signed to a one-year contract.

When breaking down the wide receiver position, the team’s website wrote short snippets on those five. Emmanuel Butler, Marquez Callaway, Maurice Harris, Krishawn Hogan, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Juwan Johnson and Tommylee Lewis were the ones also listed, seemingly not locks.

Which of those seven will get their opportunity? With Butler, Hogan, Humphrey, and others already know the system, they may have a leg up in the battle.

Either way, much of who they opt to go with will be on what they value. Do they want a tall, lengthy receiver? Then it may be Humphrey who stands 6-foot-4. If they want a speedster, they may go with Lewis.

This team will be just fine when it comes to receivers, but given Sanders’ age and Smith’s injury history, having depth may be of utmost importance this season.