Saints Wide Receiver Room: The Position to Watch in 2023

The New Orleans Saints' wide receiver room has become the position to watch in the upcoming season. With the recent addition of talented wideout James Washington, the Saints have strengthened their ranks even further. Washington, a former second-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018, brings a solid track record to the team, boasting 114 receptions for 1,629 yards and 11 touchdowns since entering the league. Recognizing the injury issues faced by the position over the past three years, the Saints have invested heavily in adding depth this offseason. They now possess a combination of young, promising pass catchers and seasoned veterans, all vying for a spot on the final 53-man roster in 2023. After enduring a string of injuries at the receiver position, the Saints cannot afford to leave any stone unturned.

In 2019, Michael Thomas was on the cusp of becoming not only the greatest Saints receiver of all time but also one of the greatest receivers ever. Thomas claimed the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award in 2019, a remarkable feat for a wide receiver. At that time, he was the most reliable pass catcher on the team, with everyone acknowledging that he was the only receiver the team could consistently count on to make plays. However, since the 2020 NFL season, Thomas has been plagued by injuries, limiting his appearances to just 10 games. These setbacks forced the Saints to search for a breakout star among their ranks. Undrafted players Deonte Hardy and Marquez Callaway made names for themselves, but none came close to filling the void left by Thomas.

In 2022, the Saints seemed to have addressed their wide receiver issues by drafting Chris Olave from Ohio State with the 11th overall pick and acquiring LSU great Jarvis Landry in free agency. With Thomas set to return from injury and Callaway, Hardy, and Tre'Quan Smith in supporting roles, the Saints appeared to have a formidable receiving corps on paper. This looked like the offensive boost they needed and have not had since legendary quarterback Drew Brees announced his retirement after the 2020 season.

However, the injury bug persisted, striking both Landry and Thomas early in the 2022 season. Thomas only managed to appear in the first three games, while Landry's availability was inconsistent throughout the year. The Saints found themselves relying on underdrafted rookies like Rashid Shaheed and their first-round pick, Chris Olave, to pick up the slack. Although they performed admirably, the Saints are determined not to go through that struggle again.

To bolster their roster, the Saints have brought in players capable of taking over games and providing reliable targets for their new quarterback, Derek Carr. This year's training camp promises to be one of the most competitive in terms of receiver talent that Saints fans have ever witnessed. Each receiver must bring their A-game every day, as no one should feel that their roster spot is solidified.

The likes of James Washington, Bryan Edwards, Michael Thomas, and Chris Olave will battle it out for the top spot. Longtime contributors like Tre'Quan Smith and fan favorites such as Rashid Shaheed could see their playing time diminish or even face the possibility of being cut during camp. This competitive environment is setting the stage for a classic training camp.

The Saints' wide receiver room has transformed into the position to watch in 2023. The addition of James Washington and the overall depth acquired during the offseason indicate the team's commitment to rectifying the struggles they've faced in recent years. With a combination of talented veterans and emerging young stars, the Saints are primed to resurrect their offense and provide their new quarterback with reliable playmakers.