Saints: Signing another WR seems unlikely due to lack of quality options
The New Orleans Saints failed to address the No. 2 wide receiver position even after releasing Emmanuel Sanders in order to save money. While free agency is still theoretically an option, there aren’t a lot of promising options available on the market.
Right now, the best names available in free agency are Larry Fitzgerald and Golden Tate. A few years ago, fans would have been all for the Saints inking either of those guys to long-term deals, but Fitzgerald is turning 38 years old in August and there’s a reason the only team he’s played for during his 17-year career moved on from him — He’s not the same player anymore.
As for Tate, he started just four games last year and is turning 33 in August. He’s also not the same player he once was and neither of these guys would be worth the Saints bringing in, especially as a No. 2 wide receiver.
There aren’t any good wide receiver options in free agency for the Saints.
The best bet for New Orleans is to roll with who they have right now and hope someone steps up as that No. 2 wide receiver. There’s also the hope that one of the other 31 NFL teams will make a surprise cut this summer and the Saints can swoop in and land someone great shortly before the season begins.
If not, then the Saints have a few players who can fill that WR2 role including Tre’Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway, and Kawaan Baker. Smith is probably the favorite to land the job, as he’s been with the team the longest and they spent a third-round pick on him in 2018. Callaway went undrafted last year and Baker was a seventh-round selection this year.
New Orleans should have fixated on the wide receiver position earlier in the draft but by waiting until the final round of the draft, they’ve put themselves in this situation and have to figure out a way to make it work.
With the lack of available talent in free agency, the New Orleans Saints know there aren’t any players worth signing right now and that’s why fans should expect Smith or someone already on the roster to win the job.
Next. 3 Potential Candidates for No. 2 Wide Receiver. dark
It’s an unfortunate situation but maybe Smith can take the next step and be a quality receiver for the Saints this year. This is the year for him to show off what he can do, as it’s the final year of his rookie contract. What better time for the former UCF product to step it up and emerge as the No. 2 receiver?