Ranking Saints needs: No. 3 Wide receiver
 

(Mike Triplett)

Current depth chart:

Marques Colston. Age 30, signed through 2016. 2014 salary and bonuses: $5.6 million. 2014 salary-cap number: $8.3 million.

Kenny Stills. Age 21, signed through 2016. 2014 salary and bonuses: $495,000. 2014 salary-cap number: $543,613.

Lance Moore. Age 30, signed through 2015. 2014 salary and bonuses: $3.8 million. 2014 salary-cap number: $5.07 million.

Robert Meachem. Age 29, unrestricted free agent.

Nick Toon. Age 25, signed through 2015. 2014 salary and bonuses: $570,000. 2014 salary-cap number: $671,903.

Joe Morgan. Age 25, restricted free agent.

Analysis:

As I wrote in my latest mailbag, I don’t think the Saints need to upgrade with a new “No. 1 receiver.” But they certainly need to start re-stocking the shelves with their longtime veterans getting older. And they could use a dynamic downfield threat somewhere in the mix.

Colston and Stills will be back as the Saints’ starters, which is a solid 1-2 punch. Although Colston had more quiet stretches than usual last year, I think he’s still playing at a high level. I never agreed with the notion that he was “slowing down” significantly last year. Speed and separation have never been the keys to his game -- he’s more about catching contested throws with his physicality, range and great hands. He finished with 75 catches for 943 yards and five touchdowns, and I think he can continue that production level for another couple years.

Stills, meanwhile, should only grow after his impressive rookie debut (32 catches for 641 yards and five touchdowns). The Saints used him often as a deep threat since he drew single coverage. But he’s a big target who can do a little of everything, which is why he became a primary starter this past year.

Beyond those two, however, this position is filled with uncertainty, starting with Moore. Although Moore has been a huge part of the Saints’ offense since the beginning of the Sean Payton-Drew Brees era, he has become a part-time player, and he’s due to make a lot of money in 2014. I was surprised by the way the Saints used Moore this past season as a No. 3 receiver behind Stills. He did, however, finish the season strong. So it’s possible they may discuss a pay cut that could keep him in New Orleans.

Meachem’s future is also uncertain since he’s an unrestricted free agent. He didn’t play a huge role in the offense last year (16 catches for 324 yards and two touchdowns). But he did still average 20.3 yards per catch, and he’s an asset as a blocker (he’s the receiver in their heavy run formations). So it’s possible he could come back and play a similar role in 2014.

Morgan appeared to have a lock on that deep threat/blocking role last summer before he suffered a season-ending torn ACL. Assuming the Saints re-sign him as a restricted free agent, he’ll have a chance to earn that same role again this summer. But he has now missed two seasons with major injuries, so he needs to prove he can shake off the rust. That’s a lot of “ifs” for a guy who might cost around $1.5 million or more, depending on the RFA tender.

I think Toon will get another chance to crack the Saints’ rotation this year. Although he struggled during his big audition against the New York Jets last year with two dropped passes, the Saints are still high on his future. He was inactive for most of the season because he was the No. 5 receiver, and the Saints typically only keep four active. … However, the physical Toon will have to impress this summer to beat out Meachem or Morgan or any potential newcomers.

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Ranking Saints needs: No. 3 Wide receiver - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 3 Wide receiver
 

"Speed and separation" are not the keys to the game...

A receivers ability to get off the line and into his route when the defense is playing press-man is. Seattle's ability to play press-man this season is the sole reason Brees, and Manning had the problems they did.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 3 Wide receiver
 

Colston had a great game against Seattle.
11 catches for 144 yards and a touchdown.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 3 Wide receiver
 

We need some additional youth in this department. I'm not sold on Toon or Morgan really. And this draft is deep at the WR position. A guy like Matthews or Cooks would light up the who dat chants on gameday. Let's do it!

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 3 Wide receiver
 

I agree with this. I think we need a big WR. We aren't getting any younger and when a team wants to press our WR needs to knock them on there butts.

I see us grabbing a WR in round 1

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 3 Wide receiver
 

Matthews reminds me of Colston, I would love to get this guy in the draft, solid pick with great hands. I think we draft 2 this year.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 3 Wide receiver
 

Peshek: WR Metrics 2.0 - Out Of The Box - Rotoworld.com

That should give you something to think about regarding Matthews.

I'd like Landry, Landry again, and then some Beckham. Being coached already by Cam Cameron and a former NFL WR, just makes these two that much more appealing. Both are also beast on special teams. Beckman as a returner(an area which we need more explosiveness on) and Landry as a special teams ace(he's a beast attacking returners).

And here are the metrics for the "top 4" receivers.

Peshek: Top 4 WR Metrics - Out Of The Box - Rotoworld.com

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 3 Wide receiver
 

Good read but Matthews will more than likely go in the 3rd or 4th round and in those rounds he would be solid. If I would draft in the 1st Laundry would be appealing. I just don't see a WR in the first I wish we would trade out of the 1st myself for more picks.It also seems to be a pretty deep draft on WR this year.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 3 Wide receiver
 

And a pass to boot.... oh wait a minute... lol

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 3 Wide receiver
 

I'd argue we need a #1...

The problem is we don't run an offense that uses a true #1 much less a #3 WR. THey are all role players.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 3 Wide receiver
 

I agree that we need a dominant receiver who can get physical at the line or battling for the ball in the air.........but I have other needs in the first round.:bng:

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 3 Wide receiver
 

Sean doesn't draft with needs in mind. BPA. I been doing the math and it weights heavily on WR. One from Fla at that...

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 3 Wide receiver
 

We need a receiver to replace Meacham because I don't have alot of faith in Morgan staying healthy. I wouldn't mind seeing either J.Landry or OBJ called in the first round. They both play to the type of receivers we employ.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 3 Wide receiver
 

If Seattle is the model for physical defensive backs and their secret to no calls then a strong WR should be on the hit list.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 3 Wide receiver
 

For me SF is the model of a physical defense as they repeatedly get it done since 2011. Seattle has had 1 season as a dominant physical defense and Free Agency is about to end that run... There is also a sticky point for me on 3 PED violations in two seasons plus being the most heavily penalized unit in the NFL.

The media is blowing this up as they do every year on the "model/formula/roadmap" cr4p....

2013 Seattles Defense
2012 49ers QB
2011 Saints TE
........

There is no successful model year in and out.. They all get sorted the following year.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 3 Wide receiver
 

Actually Seattle has been pretty consistent and building on their system since 2010. I don't think there is anything new about what they have done at all though. You have a great D or a D that gets it at the right time of the season you're going to win championships.

The next so called model or formula will be the one next year that beats Seattle.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 3 Wide receiver
 

Seattles triangle defense and taller CBs (6'3" and up) are new concepts. There is building and there is built. SF has been built and done it for a few years, Seattle has had it built for 1 season. Any concerns over salary cap dismantling SFs defense? No... Seattle is going to have issues maintaining and keeping them from PED suspensions.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 3 Wide receiver
 

-To me at least, Stills looks the part of a #1 WR someday. Not in the traditional sense, but in the way that the Pats used Welker/Amendola. I would like to see him take on a much bigger role.

-I'm guessing Moore is gone. That's a big cap hit and he didn't do much last year. He is such an up-and-down player from one year to the next, he could have 1,000 yards or 200 and you never know which guy you're going to get.

-If Colston can get through an offseason without any surgeries or other crap, I predict a big bounceback year for him. That's a big IF considering his history but maybe we'll get lucky.

-Would like Meachem back if he's cheap. I wouldn't think he has a whole lot of leverage to ask for very much money, but who knows.

- We still don't really know what we have in Morgan. I mean, the guy has ten career catches and two ACL tears. There's not much to suggest he's anything more than a deep threat and let's be honest, Brees is not a reliable deep-ball thrower like he once was.

- Toon to me is the guy who could step in and make this group a lot better. He knows how to get open and he knows how to use his body to shield out DBs. I kind of think his hands issues are being a little overblown. Except for that one game he's looked pretty surehanded otherwise. I'd like to see him get a bigger role as insurance against Colston's rickety knees and ankles.

Basically, I wouldn't be surprised if Moore, Meachem and Morgan are all goners with one dependable FA signed, one draft pick, and Toon given a bigger role. I think this is the one position on the roster where we really need a free agent. Not a huge money #1 receiver but a good dependable depth guy. James Jones, Emmanuel Sanders, somebody like that.