Saints eye free agent upgrades to complement Chris Olave. Discover which proven playmakers could elevate New Orleans' offense.
The New Orleans Saints need wide receiver help if they want to be taken as serious contenders in the NFC next season. Some anticipate the team will look to improve through the NFL draft, but others see the team looking to free agency to find an upgrade.
The No. 1 wide receiver spot is taken. Star wide receiver Chris Olave has that spot locked down after a strong start to his career. After Olave is where the uncertainty comes.
John Sigler and Jeremiah Trottier of Saints Wire identified free agents from every NFC team that the Saints should want to bring in. They listed two receivers with the following descriptions.
"Green Bay Packers: WR Romeo Doubs - Doubs, 26 in April, has gotten better every year he's played in the NFL, and he would be a good compliment for Chris Olave as a slightly larger target (6-foot-2, 204 pounds) with a strong resume. He averaged a smooth 41.1 receiving yards per game while scoring 21 touchdowns across four years in Green Bay. The concern is his injury history. Like Olave, Doubs has missed time with a couple of concussions.
Minnesota Vikings: WR Jalen Nailor - Nailor, 27, has been an effective role player for the Vikings with 47 first downs on 57 catches the last two years (plus 10 touchdowns). He's an underrated deep threat and could be a really nice pickup for the Saints, if the money makes sense. He doesn't add much diversity to the receiving corps' body types at 6-foot and 190 pounds but that didn't stop them from signing Brandin Cooks a year ago. Maybe he reaches a next level with better quarterback play."
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) catches a pass in front of Chicago Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright (26) during their wild-card playoff football game. Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesTo many, Doubs is known as the wide receiver with the massive helmet, a protective covering enforced with padding that many players wear during practice to prevent concussions and other head trauma of varying degrees. But, like his NFC North counterpart Jalen Nailor, Doubs has proven reliable and productive on the field.
Saints fans would probably love to add a player in the A.J. Brown or Tyreek Hill tier that would make opposing defenses not only have respect for them but actively fear New Orleans' ability to reach the end zone on any given play. However, those high impact moves may not be feasible with the Saints current cap situation.
The Saints can still make a positive upgrade at the position in free agency. We'll see if they target Nailor or Doubs in free agency.