The New Orleans Saints offense took a big hit earlier this week, with wide receiver Jordyn Tyson expected to miss up to two months with a hamstring injury. In response to his injury, the Black and Gold have had veteran wide receivers Chase Claypool and Josh Reynolds in the building for a tryout.
The move makes sense because the Saints were lacking experience even before Tyson went down with the injury. However, don't expect either of the two players who tried out today to be groundbreakers. Both have been career journeymen, with more scrutiny than success in their careers.
Claypool did have a promising start to his career, gathering over 850 receiving yards in his first two seasons; he has since dropped off severely and hasn't even been in the league since 2023. Reynolds has had a quieter start to his career, but he has played with many playoff teams and brings something valuable that way as a result. At this point in the offseason, though, the best option for a the Saints might be to look internally for a solution.
The Saints' best solutions at WR aren't outside the building
Both Claypool and Reynolds have had respectable careers, and this isn't an attempt at diminishing that. It's just that, given the offseason timing and their recent lack of playing time, the Saints' best option to address the issue might already be in the building.
Fourth-round pick Bryce Lance took WR2 reps in the joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys, while Devaughn Vele sat out with a rest day. A record-holder at his alma mater, Vele has been tearing it up in camp as of late. The early reps during the season could showcase just how far the young depth on the team goes.
There's also sixth-round pick Barion Brown, who has been the Saints camp darling. Lighting the field on fire and making headlines after nearly every practice, he's another in-house candidate who could very well take a huge step forward.
Then there's Bub Means, a 2024 fifth-round pick who missed the last year with an ankle injury. He's really found a connection with quarterback Zach Wilson, making plays with the third team in practice and in games as well. In fact, Means put up such a performance against Jacksonville (four receptions for 77 yards) that he's pushed himself back into the conversation of making the team.
It'll be easier to tell where things stand with the receivers once the next joint practice rolls around. Set to be with the Los Angeles Rams on the 20th, the pecking order of the wide receivers might be more solidified in the coming days.
Add us as a preferred source on Google