The Saints Offense Has Had Clear Issues, but WR3 May Be Going Under the Radar

It has been heavily talked about, including by me, that the New Orleans Saints offense has been one of the most disappointing units in the NFL this season. Before the season, the Saints were the team that many around the NFL chose to go from last to first in the division and make the playoffs. Expectations rose the closer we got to the start of the year, but those expectations have not been met, and instead, the offense has been the reason the Saints have lost most of their games. Yes, the Saints were able to nearly make the comeback against the Lions and complete it against the Ravens, but the offense was the reason they were even down in those games. 

Many have blamed the lack of a running game, the offensive line, and the playcalling for the reasons why the Saints have had offensive struggles, and those are all correct. The inability to run the ball allows teams to plan for the pass primarily; the offensive line is allowing Tyler Shough to get at a historic rate and stop ball carriers; and the playcalling has not helped in any situation. But even with those three reasons in mind, people aren't talking enough about another. 

When Jordyn Tyson was ruled out for the beginning of the season, it was fine because the Saints invested so much at that position before the season that they had people who could fit in. Kevin Austin Jr. was supposed to be that guy, but before the season, the Saints moved on from him, hinting that they viewed their two rookies, Bryce Lance and Barion Brown, as better options for the WR3 spot. Brown’s snaps were significant at the beginning of game 1, but quickly, the Saints moved to Lance, and they have not looked back. Since that point, Lance has had his moments, especially as a blocker, but a change now must be made. Similar to last year, New Orleans does not have a sustainable WR3. That’s not Lance’s fault; he was a developmental WR coming out of college, and he still is, but the Saints need to understand what they have and make a change. Tyson’s return will obviously fix that, but how can this team trust his health? What is more confusing is the fact that Austin Jr. was back on the roster, then the Saints moved on from him before the Vikings game. 

If the run game is already struggling and the blocking has been bad, you can’t also basically use the exact WR setup as you did last season.