Keenan Allen was once labeled as the insurance plan the New Orleans Saints needed in case Chris Olave or Jordyn Tyson went down to injury. It was a plan I didn't co-sign at the time because the explanation largely dismissed Devaughn Vele ability as WR3. Reuniting Allen with Kellen Moore sounded enticing once Tyson went down with injury though, but that option came off the table right when the Saints needed it.
Tyson was ruled out for roughly two months due to his latest hamstring injury, and a few hours later Allen was signing a one year contract with the Indianapolis Colts. There goes the Saints' big plan down the drain.
Adding Allen now wouldn't have been to take Tyson's place. It would be to add a layer of security behind Vele because the team gets thin in experience after WR2. Even that's being generous because Vele is only going into his third season.
Saints need Barion Brown and Bryce Lance to step up quickly
With Allen no longer an option, the Saints will likely have to turn to the youth movement they're building.
Barion Brown and Bryce Lance have quietly and quickly become more important players to the offense than they were supposed to be as rookies, and it doesn’t have to do with their play on the field. Luckily, their performance in camp also validates the belief they can handle the increased responsibility.Â
Lance was a prospect who was raw and was projected to need time to develop coming from North Dakota State. Brown was a return specialist, who had potential to play a minor role on offense. The Jordyn Tyson injury and Ja’Lynn Polk retirement pushes the two rookies into a bigger role.Â
Luckily, Brown and Lance have shed those pre-training camp stigmas. Brown has looked great in practice, with big play after big play. He has the tools to be a deep threat or the catch and run player the Saints have desperately needed for years.
Lance has come on strong as of late as well. What truly stood out with him is he made a big play in the joint practice versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. He turned that momentum into a potential touchdown, and at least an explosvie play, against Travis Hunter.
Fixing the depth in the wide receiver position was a must this offseason. The Saints did that by picking three wide receivers in the NFL Draft, and it's a decision that's paying off before the season even gets rolling.
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