Marquez Callaway may play a massive role in Saints offense next season

The New Orleans Saints are going to be banking on several young players taking a next step this coming season. After releasing players like Janoris Jenkins and Emmanuel Sanders, the Saints have more holes to fill than most originally planned for.

Jared Cook, Sheldon Rankins, Trey Hendrickson, Jenkins, Sanders, and Kwon Alexander are all part of the group that won’t be returning to the Big Easy. There are several others not listed that won’t be with the Saints next season as well.

Nonetheless, with Sanders heading elsewhere and not much cap space available, the Saints will be asking a few players to step up. One of those players could be second-year wide receiver, Marquez Callaway.

The New Orleans Saints will need Marquez Callaway, who is set to enter his second season in the NFL, to step up in a big way in 2021.

Marquez Callaway didn’t play too big of a role in the Saints’ offense as a rookie. Undrafted out of Tennessee, Callaway made his way to the Big Easy, and he quickly found a home with the uber-accurate Drew Brees.

At 6-foot-2, Callaway presents a big target. With a 38-inch vertical, his ability to get open and make difficult catches is there. It was on full display last season as, when given the snaps, Callaway thrived.

With Sanders hitting the Covid-19 list and Thomas being injured for parts of the season, Callaway was given the opportunity to step up. When he played in over 70 percent of the offensive snaps, he did just that.

Callaway ended his rookie season with 27 targets and 21 receptions. He totaled 213 yards. He also had a 78 percent catch rate which was impressive.

That said, in those two games he was given over 70 percent of the snaps, Callaway had 11 receptions and 126 yards. If he can consistently do that as the No. 2 receiver next season, he’ll cement himself as a long-term piece of their roster.

Nonetheless, the opportunity for Callaway to take his game to the next level will be there.