The New Orleans Saints could use some help at the wide receiver position, but they probably don’t have the resources to get an elite player. The team is currently restructuring every contract they can just to get under the salary cap, so they won’t be able to break the bank on a guy like Mike Evans. Fortunately, they don’t need a game-breaking talent like the five-time Pro Bowler. Chris Olave is more than capable of being the top option in the passing attack, and exclusive rights free agent Rashid Shaheed is a reliable deep threat.
What the Saints need is another complementary wide receiver. Michael Thomas was supposed to fill that role last year, but it’s clear that injuries have taken their toll on the former All-Pro. While he technically is not a free agent, it’s hard to envision any world where the disgruntled and expensive wideout is with the organization in 2024. Derek Carr is only as good as his supporting cast, and seeing as the Saints need to make the playoffs if Dennis Allen wants to keep his job, they should invest in someone capable of elevating Carr’s game.
While Evans is out of the Saints price range and guys like Tee Higgins and Michael Pittman will receive the franchise tag, New Orleans might need to go bargain shopping for their next wide receiver. Fortunately, there are plenty of reliable cost-effective options that should be able to improve the passing attack.
The 3 Best Free Agent Wide Receiver Options For the Saints
Tyler Boyd
Tyler Boyd has been something of an afterthought in the Bengals offense in recent years, but you shouldn’t blame him for not being as good as Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The slot receiver has multiple 1,000-yard seasons to his name, and while he might not be that type of player anymore, he’s still more than capable of being a second or third option in a passing attack. Carr didn’t have a reliable chain-mover last year, and Boyd excels at quickly getting open near the line of scrimmage. With Olave working the intermediate part of the field, Shaheed stretching defenses vertically, and Boyd handling the short targets, the Saints will have a wide receiver depth chart that can do a little bit of everything.
Jauan Jennings
Jauan Jennings has been remarkably efficient in a limited role, and the Saints might be the team to gamble on the wide receiver maintaining that efficiency in a larger sample. Buried in San Francisco’s star-studded offense, the former seventh-round pick has been nothing short of impressive every time he touches the ball. The Tennessee product demonstrates reliable route running and explosive ability after the catch and on gadget plays. With former 49ers offensive passing game specialist Klint Kubiak now running the show, he might convince the Saints to roll the dice on Jennings.
Kendrick Bourne
Kendrick Bourne tore his ACL midway through the 2023 season, but recent reports indicate that the explosive playmaker is recovering well and should be a full-go for the start of the regular season. Serving as basically the only bright spot in New England’s offense, the seven-year veteran was on pace for the best season of his career prior to his injury. He’s only entering his age-29 season, so he should have a few more years left in tank and probably won’t require too big of a contract. He won’t be the best wide receiver on the Saints depth chart, but he will make this offense much harder to defend.
Main Photo: Kareem Elgazzar – USA Today Sports
