Among the brutal lessons the New Orleans Saints learned in 2024, one was that they need a deeper wide receiver room. Entering last season, fans and analysts repeatedly expressed how the Saints needed to add to the group of wideouts, but New Orleans was content rolling into the year with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed as the only two playmakers.
Both guys delivered, starting the season with impressive games. However, by mid season, both guys were sidelined for the year, and the Saints were left depending on mid-year signee Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Moving forward, New Orleans can’t put itself in a position like that again. The team, in general, needs better wide receiver depth, and they especially need that depth in case of injuries.
Fortunately, this offseason will likely have a ton of wide receiver movement. In addition to all of the talented pass catchers entering the league through the draft, several established star receivers will either be free agents or available for trade. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently highlighted 17 of those receivers, and there are a few guys New Orleans should definitely have their eyes on.
Star receivers the Saints may be able to acquire this offseason
Barnwell’s list included traded candidates like Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill and San Francisco 49ers’ Deebo Samuel, cut candidates like New York Jets’ Davante Adams, and free agents like Keenan Allen and Marquise Brown. Of course, New Orleans isn’t going to be in the mix for all of these guys. Between the team’s cap situation, and New Orleans not seeming like a competitive team, some of these guys won’t even be an option for the Saints.
However, there are a few that New Orleans could make a run at, and possibly land— similar to how the team did with Chase Young last offseason. One name that makes the most sense is Davante Adams. Of course, he’s only a sensible option if the team brings back Derek Carr.
When Adams forced his way out of Las Vegas last season, it was clear he wanted to reunite with one of his former quarterbacks. That ultimately happened to be Aaron Rodgers with the New York Jets. Things didn’t work out well in New York, though, and both guys could soon be looking for new teams.
If Adams is back on the market, he could run things back with Carr again, and immediately elevate the Saints offense. The trio of Adams, Olave, and Shaheed, with Alvin Kamara in the backfield, would certainly move the needle, and give first-year head coach Kellen Moore a lot to work with.