Tre’Quan Smith feels ‘way further along’ as he approaches 2nd year with Saints
 

During this offseason, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith said team employees as well as his friends back home in Florida pointed out to him that the team didn’t draft a wide receiver this year.

As far as Smith is concerned, wideout wasn’t a need based on what he and Keith Kirkwood showed as rookies in 2018.

“I was like, ‘They didn’t have to. They got me and Keith there,’” Smith said Monday, recounting those conversations about the Saints draft. “We’re great players, so I’m kind of happy they didn’t. That just shows the organization believes in us and believes in our ability.”

https://www.nola.com/resizer/aK_51C1...F75EMIDIKM.jpg

Michael Thomas is one of the best receivers in the NFL, but behind him, the roles are unclear for the rest of the Saints’ group. Smith and Kirkwood showed potential as rookies. Ted Ginn Jr. is still fast, but it’d be logical to worry about him slowing down at age 34. Cameron Meredith missed all of 2017 with the Bears and most of 2018 with the Saints but expects to be healthy. Austin Carr seems to have untapped potential, and Simmie Cobbs and Travin Dural will try to earn a spot, too.

With all of those options around, the Saints didn’t draft a receiver, but they have four undrafted rookies — Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Micah Wright, Deonte Harris and Emmanuel Butler — and signed fast but unproven Cyril Grayson.

Smith, the Saints’ third-round pick last year, finished his rookie season with 28 catches for 427 yards and five touchdowns, but more than half of his production came in two big games against Washington and Philadelphia in which he totaled 268 yards. Kirkwood, meanwhile, added 13 catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns in eight games.

more on NOLA

Re: Tre’Quan Smith feels ‘way further along’ as he approaches 2nd year with Saints
 

Not many targets left after MT and Kamara. Probably gets less this year with Jared Cook.

Re: Tre’Quan Smith feels ‘way further along’ as he approaches 2nd year with Saints
 

I'll be brutally honest ... a lot of the 2018 season, Tre' ran poor routes, seemed confused on formations & failed to create any separation off the line.

Outside of the Redskins game, his play was inept. We're crowded at the WR position and having Jared Cook will help.

I'm hopeful Tre Smith re gains confidence in 2019. We'll need him.

Re: Tre’Quan Smith feels ‘way further along’ as he approaches 2nd year with Saints
 

He was confused and has admitted publicly that he didn't understand the route concepts. This year he says he is more comfortable in the system and after a full year with Drew and the coaches his game should improve.

Apparently he likes Kirkwood, but training camp competition is going to be stiff and they may have to stay in touch via text messages. It's going to be one heck of a battle in the wide receiver room.