Saints: Marquez Callaway is outshining Tre’Quan Smith this summer
Every New Orleans Saints fan knows about the wide receiver situation and how it’s less than ideal. This was the case even before Michael Thomas’ news surfaced but it’s even more the case now that the news is out in the open and it’s a reality that Thomas won’t be taking the field anytime soon.
The two receivers who have been getting a lot of attention all offseason are Marquez Callaway and Tre’Quan Smith with one living up to the hype and the other disappointing a bit. Callaway is the one who has impressed and he’s really stepped into a leadership role. Smith hasn’t done much but in his defense, that’s because he was injured in camp a few weeks ago and the Saints aren’t in a hurry to rush him back.
As unfair as it is for Smith to have a mark against him due to injuries, Callaway has made the most of the opportunity ahead of him and could be in a position to be the Saints’ WR1 when the season kicks off in three weeks.
Marquez Callaway is looking sharp for the Saints
Benedetto Vitale of Clutch Points discussed how Callaway could steal Smith’s starting job from him. Both guys could still be starters when the season gets underway but Callaway is nearly a lock to start at this point while Smith still has to show that he’s healthy and ready to go.
It’d be something if Callaway blossomed into the Saints’ top receiving threat, as he’s entering just his second year as an NFL wide receiver. After going undrafted out of Tennessee, Callaway made a strong enough impression on the Saints to get into games last year, catching 21 passes for 213 yards through 11 games and three starts.
Smith is no stranger to the Saints’ offense, as he’s entering the fourth season of his NFL career. He was a third-round pick by New Orleans in the 2018 NFL Draft after dazzling at Central Florida. The hope was that he could bring that production to the Big Easy but so far, his best year has seen him compile 448 yards with his career-high in touchdowns sitting at five (he did this as a rookie in 2018 and again in 2019).
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Callaway has been one of the most impressive Saints this summer and he’s definitely staking his claim for a starting job at wide receiver.