Preseason games aren’t exactly the most exciting things to watch. Fans have a hard time following players coming and going. That being said, there are players like Austin Carr playing for his future. And there no guarantees. Still, Carr brings a steady force that could bring huge dividends for the 2018 New Orleans Saints if kept.
Austin Carr Is a Steady Force for the New Orleans Saints
The plethora of wide receivers for Drew Brees is a gift that keeps on giving for the 2018 Saints offense. Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn Jr., Cameron Meredith, and rookie sensation Tre’Quan Smith are more than enough firepower for the high octane offense the Saints run.
Return specialist Brandon Tate also looks to be fairly safe to make the 53-man roster. Nothing is a given, though. Surely, the idea of keeping six receivers would be extremely rare for Sean Payton. But this is not any ordinary year. The 2018 season has lofty expectations. With expectations so high, there’s little room for error. Every single decision could determine the outcome of a pre-hyped team. The Saints are now on the precipice of something special. Roster moves can be crucial as the season move forward.
Carr knows that his roster spot is no guarantee by any means. In fact, there can be a case made for other receivers that have more physical abilities than Carr. But make no mistake, Carr could be one of those guys that could be a steady go-to guy in case of emergencies.
Being 6’1″ and coming out of Northwestern doesn’t get a player much notoriety. Add a 4.62 40-yard dash and the modern day consensus of scouts wouldn’t give Carr much of a chance at all making a career in the NFL.
Undrafted Self-Made Success
Carr didn’t get his name called on draft day back in 2017. Regardless, the New England Patriots picked him up. Carr put up big numbers in four preseason games for the Patriots. He caught 14 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Ironically, Carr had one of his best games last week for the Saints against the Los Angeles Chargers. Carr was targeted four times and caught three passes for 38 yards. Here’s just about every catch from last years’ preseason with the Patriots.
The Patriots decided in the end that Carr was expendable. They cut him.
Consequently, the Saints picked him up and gave him a shot. Carr was activated a couple of games last year with the Black and Gold. And this year, the Saints would be wise to keep him on the 53-man roster. Certainly, Carr is going to be picked up by some team this year.
Sean Payton has made it clear that there is no guarantee for anyone in this deep roster for wide receivers. “The depth chart is written in chalk,” coach Sean Payton said. “It’s not permanent ink.” Something tells me that Payton isn’t just speaking to the wind here. Also, there is plenty of speed on the roster already. The Saints need a guy like Carr to catch the ball when needed.
Carr is a self-made man that started off as a walk-on at Northwestern. He didn’t even gain a scholarship till his junior year. He is exactly what the Saints need in this receiver corps. Carr may not be sexy. He lacks that breakaway speed some of the other guys he’s competing against. Then again, Carr is reliable and built more the long haul. Carr is Willie Snead without the hair. And he’s earned the right to make this roster.
