The New Orleans Saints have demonstrated incredible persistence in recent weeks, winning two straight games after a seven-game losing streak. Now, they enter their bye week just two games behind in a wide-open NFC South division.
After Dennis Allen was fired, it would’ve been very easy for the team to just pack it in for the year. Beyond losing seven straight games, the Saints lost several key players to injuries. However, the surprise emergence of guys have kept New Orleans afloat.
One player that surprisingly emerged is Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Valdes-Scantling was signed after Rashid Shaheed went down with a meniscus injury, and his presence became especially important when Chris Olave was placed on injured reserve after suffering two concussions in a month.
While Valdes-Scantling isn’t a stranger to NFL fans, contrary to what Mickey Loomis thinks, expectations weren’t high for him. However, in just a couple of games, he has quickly surpassed even the wildest expectations placed on him.
The veteran receiver has played in three games for New Orleans and has six catches for 201 yards and three touchdowns. He has, almost single handidly, kept New Orleans’ wide receiver room productive. If he stays on this pace, he could end the season as the team’s leader in receiving yards.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling could lead the Saints in receiving
Currently, the team’s leader in receiving yards is Alvin Kamara with 443 yards. He’ll continue to be a big part of the passing game for the rest of the season, and he may be able to hold off Valdes-Scantling. After Kamara is Olave with 400 and Shaheed with 349. Shaheed is done for the season, and there’s a chance Olave might be as well.
Then it’s the tight ends, with Juwan Johnson at 277 receiving yards and Foster Moreau with 217. Valdes-Scantling is right behind at 201, and with his big-play ability, he can definitely catch everyone on this list.
If he does, it’d be impressive, seeing how he can only play nine games at most this season for the Saints, but it’d also speak to the injuries New Orleans dealt with throughout the year.