How the Saints can address their receiving corps to help Jameis Winston

Marquise Goodwin

Stills brings a lot to the table working down the field, but if the Saints want a true track star, Marquise Goodwin would certainly fit.

With a 4.27 40-yard dash coming out of college, it’s no secret that Goodwin can fly, which explains his role at the NFL level. He hasn’t ever been targeted much in the offenses he has been in, but he has averaged 16.6 yards per reception and 8.3 yards per target- strong overall efficiency.

In 2017, Goodwin had a breakout season for the 49ers, totaling 962 receiving yards and 60.1 yards per game.

Considering that he has accounted for 41.4% of his overall receiving production in the NFL, it probably isn’t great to not see that as an outlier, but it is worth noting that was his only year starting all 16 games, so perhaps he has been held back somewhat by opportunity.

After re-signing with San Francisco, his numbers regressed tremendously over the next two seasons, and he opted out of the 2020 season upon being traded to the Eagles. Now, he’s back on the open market.

It’s clear what the appeal is with Goodwin. His 31 career yards/game still is more than Smith, and his 13.4 average depth of target between 2018 and 2019 shows exactly where he runs his routes- where Winston wants to dominate.

I’m sure something Payton will want to focus on with Winston is not making so many low-percentage throws, and with Goodwin, that would be easier thanks to his separation skills. His abilities as a returner and with the ball in his hands also cannot be overlooked; versatility is always a bonus.

He might cost slightly more than Stills due to the “need for speed” around the NFL, but he’s certainly a strong fit for the Saints and may prioritize the opportunity to showcase his skills with a thinner receiving corps and a downfield thrower.