5 potential replacements for Saints WR Tre’Quan Smith in 2022

The New Orleans Saints could lose wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith to free agency this offseason. If they do, who are some potential replacements for the former third-round pick? 

When the Saints spent a third-round pick on UCF’s Tre’Quan Smith back in 2018, they had high hopes that he could blossom into the team’s WR2. Sadly, that never happened, as Smith never had more than 448 yards or five touchdowns in a single season.

With Smith failing to show he could be a reliable wide receiver option, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Saints didn’t bring him back. If this ends up being the case, who could the team get to replace him?

This would need to be a player who could be the WR2 (or maybe WR3) in the offense. The expectation is that Michael Thomas returns to be the WR1 again but who knows if that’ll end up happening or not.

Let’s get to the list.

5. Sammy Watkins

With the Saints’ lack of funds, they won’t be able to go for big names like Davante Adams or Chris Godwin. Sammy Watkins would be one of the better affordable names out there for them to acquire.

Watkins, a former first-round pick by the Bills in 2014, has played for four different teams during his eight-year career with his latest team being the Ravens. Watkins is a talented receiver but what’s held him back throughout his career is his injury history. The only time he didn’t miss a single game was as a rookie back in 2014.

Watkins’ best season was in 2015 with the Bills. That year saw the Clemson product total 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns, both career highs.

If the Saints go the free agency route to replace Smith, Sammy Watkins is an affordable option who could do some damage in their offense. Health is the biggest issue here, however.