Arthur Rooks/Saints Contributor
New Orleans,LA – The New Orleans Saints have a loaded roster with talent bursting out of the seams. The NFL “experts” have labeled the Black & Gold as one of the top teams in the league as far as the Superbowl chase goes. The top skill positions on the team are: quarter back, wide receiver, running back, offensive lineman, defensive lineman and defensive back to name a few. The key spots were a long shot can squeeze on the roster in my opinion, are at wide receiver and defensive back.
The Saints wide receiver line up behind key starters like: All Pro wide out Mike Thomas, established wide out veteran Emmanuel Sanders & All Pro return man Deonte Harris are up for grabs.
The third wide out position is currently occupied by former UCF third round pick Trequan Smith, who has underachieved and underwhelmed. The competition from others like supreme utility man Taysom Hill will impact the wide receiver spot. The other utility men like running back wide receiver Ty Montgomery and 7th round pick quarterback Tommy Stevens could contribute to that area of the field.
The competition underneath Smith from the receiver spot are: Maurice Harris, Austin Carr, Lil Jordan Humphrey, Emmanuel Butler, Tommy Lee Lewis, Juwan Johnson, Marquez Calloway, Krishawn Hogan & Taquan Mizzell. New Orleans Coach Sean Payton has always favored big wide receivers, with speed and who can catch in traffic. I think two guys that fit this description are veteran wide outs Maurice Harris & Marquez Calloway.
Marquez Calloway a 6-2 200lb undrafted wide out from the University of Tennessee,who is versatile and played as a return man on special teams. He averaged 21.2 yards per catch on 30 catches with 6 td’s in 2019. The fact that Calloway plays special teams is a plus, he averaged 14 yards per punt return with a score & 18.5 for kick returns. The Draft Network listed his about Calloway:“Speed is the name of the game for Callaway. He’s used mostly as the Vols outside wide receiver, and his quick feet and long speed prove to be valuable along the sideline. He’s the kind of player who deserves to be on an offense that could utilize him more, as Tennessee is just not very good at getting the ball deep down the field. Can make some crazy catches with both one and two hands. Great when catching through traffic in the air.”
Maurice Harris a 6-3 205 lb 3rd year wide out from the University of California also fits that Coach Payton WR preference. Harris careers stats between Washington and New England are: 28 games 7 starts 40 catches for 432 yards and 1 TD. The Saints inked Harris to a deal earlier this year and believe he can contribute in the wide receiver room.
The next position outside of wide out who can crack the team is at defensive back, were former XFL corner Deatrick Nichols can shine. Nichols 5-10 189 lbs from the University South Florida brings intensity and a bull dog mentality to the defensive back room.
According to New Orleans Saints : Nichols originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals in 2018 out of South Florida, Nichols was on the 53-man roster for six weeks, playing in two contests and recorded a solo special teams tackle. In 2020, Nichols was drafted by the Houston Roughnecks and recorded 24 tackles (three for loss), with a sack, six passes defended and a league leading three interceptions before the 2020 XFL season was shortened. The Miami native looks to compete for a roster spot heading into training camp.
With the pressure on corners like Patrick Robinson and the lack of veteran depth at the position look for Nichols to make his presence felt. These 3 undrafted players have a serious shot to make an rich roster even richer.
Drew Brees Working on Chemistry with WR Emmanuel Sanders
