The New Orleans Saints have long been one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL, known for their high-powered passing attack, innovative schemes, and the leadership of future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees. With Brees now retired, the franchise has entered a new era at quarterback, but the expectations remain high. One of the most pressing concerns for the Saints as they look to build a new offensive identity is the wide receiver room. Despite having talent in place, New Orleans is in need of another dynamic playmaker at wide receiver to complement its offensive weapons and elevate the passing game to the next level.
The Saints are at a crossroads. With a solid defense and a promising quarterback in Derek Carr now under center, the offense still needs another legitimate threat at wide receiver to truly become a contender in the NFC. This piece of the puzzle is especially critical as the Saints look to improve upon their mediocre offensive performance in recent seasons and challenge for a division title and postseason success.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the current state of the Saints’ wide receiver room, the need for another dynamic option, and what options they might pursue to fill this void.
### The Current Wide Receiver Corps: Talented, But Lacking a True No. 1
The Saints’ wide receiver room features some solid talent, but no player truly stands out as a dominant No. 1 receiver. Michael Thomas, once one of the league’s most dominant wideouts, remains the key figure in the group. However, Thomas has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons, including an ankle injury that kept him sidelined for much of 2021 and 2022. When healthy, Thomas is still capable of being a high-level receiver, but his injury history raises concerns about his ability to stay on the field consistently.
In addition to Thomas, the Saints have several other capable receivers, such as Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Olave, the 2022 first-round pick out of Ohio State, had an impressive rookie season, finishing with 72 receptions for 1,042 yards and four touchdowns. Olave is fast, quick, and has the ability to stretch the field, but he is still developing into a true top-tier receiver. Shaheed, on the other hand, showed flashes of big-play ability last season, providing a deep threat with his speed and versatility. While both Olave and Shaheed have potential, neither of them yet profiles as a dominant, reliable target that can consistently take over a game.
While the Saints’ current receivers are talented, they lack that one superstar who can demand double-teams and open up the field for the rest of the offense. This is where the Saints need to make a move. They need a true No. 1 wide receiver—someone who can command attention from opposing defenses and give Carr the weapon he needs to thrive in the passing game.
### The Need for Another Threat: Why the Saints Need More Firepower
The need for another legitimate receiving threat goes beyond just having another capable player on the roster. Here are some of the main reasons why the Saints need to add a playmaking receiver:
#### 1. **Elevating the Quarterback Play**
Derek Carr, the Saints’ new starting quarterback, is a capable and experienced signal-caller who has the tools to lead an NFL offense. Carr is known for his strong arm, ability to make deep throws, and poise in the pocket. However, like any quarterback, Carr’s success will depend on the weapons around him. He needs more than just good role players—he needs a true star at receiver who can make plays when the game is on the line. A dynamic No. 1 wideout would help take the pressure off Carr by giving him a go-to option in critical moments.
Carr’s previous experience with the Raiders shows that he is at his best when he has a reliable, game-changing wide receiver. In Las Vegas, Carr had success with Davante Adams, one of the NFL’s best receivers. While Olave and Shaheed offer promise, they are not yet at the level of Adams or a true No. 1 receiver. Adding a veteran star to the mix would immediately improve the Saints’ passing attack and make Carr’s job easier.
#### 2. **Opening Up the Offense**
The Saints have always been an offense-first team, and they rely on creating mismatches in the passing game to open up the field. A true No. 1 receiver would do wonders for the Saints’ offensive scheme. With Thomas’ health still a question mark and Olave still maturing, the Saints’ offense has often struggled to produce consistent big plays in the passing game. Adding another elite wideout would give the Saints a real weapon in both the short and deep passing game. It would also help open up the running game, as defenders would be forced to respect the passing attack and spread out their defensive alignments.
In a division where competition is heating up, especially with the emergence of teams like the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers, the Saints need to ensure their offense can keep up. Adding a dynamic wide receiver would increase their chances of controlling the game offensively and preventing opposing defenses from focusing too much on stopping the run or double-covering their existing receivers.
#### 3. **Maximizing the Potential of the Offensive Line and Running Backs**
The Saints have a solid offensive line and a potent running back room, including Alvin Kamara and the promising rookie Kendre Miller. Both players thrive when the passing game is clicking, as it opens up running lanes and forces defenses to stay honest. If the Saints could add a true deep threat to their wide receiver room, it would pull defenders away from the line of scrimmage, allowing Kamara and Miller more space to operate. This balance between the run and pass is what separates great offenses from merely good ones, and adding a top-tier receiver would create that balance.
### Possible Solutions: Who Could the Saints Target?
There are a few potential paths the Saints could take to address their wide receiver needs. Whether through free agency, the trade market, or the draft, adding another threat at wide receiver should be a priority this offseason.
#### 1. **Free Agency Options**
The 2024 free agent class has a few names that could potentially fit the bill for the Saints:
– **DeAndre Hopkins (Tennessee Titans):** While Hopkins is no longer in his prime, he remains a highly skilled receiver with elite hands and route-running ability. He would instantly elevate the Saints’ offense, bringing both leadership and experience. His ability to win contested catches would give Carr a dependable weapon on third downs and in the red zone.
– **Adam Thielen (Carolina Panthers):** Thielen may not be the explosive deep threat he once was, but he is still a reliable route runner with good hands and a knack for getting open in the slot. He would complement Olave and Shaheed well, giving Carr a veteran target in the short to intermediate game.
– **JuJu Smith-Schuster (New England Patriots):** Smith-Schuster is a versatile receiver who can play both outside and in the slot. His physicality and playmaking ability would add an extra dimension to the Saints’ offense and could provide Carr with a trustworthy security blanket.
#### 2. **Trade Targets**
If the Saints are willing to make a trade to acquire a wide receiver, a few options could be available:
– **Mike Evans (Tampa Bay Buccaneers):** While Evans would be a controversial addition given the rivalry between the Saints and Buccaneers, he would be an immediate upgrade to the receiving corps. Evans has been one of the NFL’s most consistent wide receivers for years and would give Carr the true No. 1 target the Saints need.
– **D.J. Moore (Chicago Bears):** Moore is a dynamic receiver with great speed and physicality. He would be an excellent fit in New Orleans, giving Carr a deep threat who can stretch the field and create mismatches with his ability to make plays after the catch.
#### 3. **NFL Draft:**
If the Saints decide to address the wide receiver position in the draft, there are several intriguing options in the 2024 class. With a potential late first-round pick, New Orleans could target a young playmaker who can contribute immediately. Names like Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State), Malik Nabers (LSU), or Rome Odunze (Washington) could be in the conversation.
### Conclusion: The Saints Must Add Another Wide Receiver Threat
As the Saints continue to transition into a new era with Derek Carr at quarterback, their wide receiver room remains one of the biggest question marks heading into the 2024 season. While players like Michael Thomas, Chris Olave, and Rashid Shaheed have potential, the Saints need to add a true No. 1 receiver to take their offense to the next level. Whether through free agency, trade, or the draft, the addition of another dynamic threat would provide Carr with the weapons he needs to elevate the passing game and make New Orleans a more formidable contender in the NFC.