ESPN calls out two Saints wide receivers
The New Orleans Saints are set to contend in the NFC this season. If they avoid injuries, their depth should have some exciting upside, and their starting units look impressive. The coaching needs to be up to par, too. Regardless, a couple of wide receivers are already grabbing looks from national media before the season […]
The New Orleans Saints are set to contend in the NFC this season. If they avoid injuries, their depth should have some exciting upside, and their starting units look impressive. The coaching needs to be up to par, too. Regardless, a couple of wide receivers are already grabbing looks from national media before the season begins for the Saints.
ESPN broke down a few categories for this year's Saints roster. Included in those, two wide receivers were mentioned specifically in their own area. Michael Thomas and rookie A.T. Perry got some attention from the analysts. Thomas is noted as the "X-Factor" for the team, while Perry is the "Nonstarter to know" for New Orleans.
X factor for 2023: WR Michael Thomas. We've been here before, but the promise of Thomas — who ranked in the top-six in yards per route run in 2017, 2018 and 2019 — teaming up with Chris Olave means the Saints offense could break right. But that's if Thomas can stay healthy and return to anything near his old level of play. — Walder
Nonstarter to know: WR A.T. Perry. The sixth-round pick was All-ACC in each of the past two seasons. He led all Power 5 receivers with 531 receiving yards on go routes over the last two years. — Walder
Thomas is absolutely the X-Factor for this roster. If he stays healthy, a trio of Thomas, Chris Olave, and Rashid Shaheed can be one of the league's best. They each have a different skillset and can attack defenses uniquely. With a solid baseline at QB in Derek Carr, they could be dangerous.
As for Perry, it sounds like he will make the roster after being a day three selection. His downfield ability is undeniable, and anyone who watched the Saints last year knows that they need more of that. If he can make splash plays when he gets on the field, it would go a long way for New Orleans. He projects to be WR4/WR5 on the depth chart to start the year, but it is all fluid still. We'll see how it shakes out.
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