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METAIRIE, La. -- The NFL’s No. 1 passing offense doesn’t have a single wide receiver over the age of 24.

The New Orleans Saints keep getting younger -- and better -- at that spot, thanks to the addition of second-round draft pick Michael Thomas, who has a touchdown in each of the past three games.

Thomas (23) has joined third-year pros Brandin Cooks (23), Willie Snead (24) and Brandon Coleman (24) to help keep 37-year-old quarterback Drew Brees young.

Throw in rookie backups Tommylee Lewis (23) and Jake Lampman (23), and the Saints have the NFL’s third-youngest wide receiver corps, at an average age of 23.3.

Only the Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins are younger at 23.0, according to research by ESPN Stats & Information.

But the Saints’ receivers certainly don’t act their age. All of them have taken on major roles early in their careers, with Brees and coaches lauding them for their maturity and work ethic.


Brees also loves the fact that the Saints got to start molding them from a young age.


“We’re taking these guys right out of college and this is their first team so, ‘This is how we’re doing it, and this is how it needs to be done, and this is what I’m expecting. And I can also tell you that this is when the ball’s gonna be there and that’s when you need to be there.'” Brees said. “A lot of times we have the ability to show them 11 years’ worth of film to show why something should be done a certain way or how it’s evolved. Like, ‘Here’s the evolution, here’s where it started, and this is where it is now.’
“And maybe like, ‘Hey, this is where we can take it once we get really good at it.’”

“All those guys are ready, and they’re always prepared, and they know their opportunities will come,” Brees said. “And they work extremely hard, and they push one another too. I mean, there’s a pride and there’s a sense of competition from that group.”
New Orleans Saints' WR corps among NFL's youngest and best - New Orleans Saints Blog- ESPN

i am still in the belief that we are missing one piece. Thomas looks to have the makings of a #1. But a true #2 with size and speed to free up not only Thomas but Cooks and Snead as well in a 4 WR set that we love to run.

Mid rounds may have that piece

Jamari Staples, WR/KR Louisville 6026 195 4.45 #2 rSr

He is not polished but the guy can catch, fearless and loves jump ball battles.

Throw a player like this in the mix and defenses will have gaping holes for Drew to advantage of.

Thomas continues to develop and I think we are sitting pretty good.

WhoDat!656

I wish the Saints had a veteran WR, like Colston or Larry Fitzgerald to mentor them as well.

SmashMouth

The NFL’s No. 1 passing offense doesn’t have a single wide receiver over the age of 24.

The New Orleans Saints keep getting younger -- and better -- at that spot, thanks to the addition of second-round draft pick Michael Thomas, who has a touchdown in each of the past three games.

Thomas (23) has joined third-year pros Brandin Cooks (23), Willie Snead (24) and Brandon Coleman (24) to help keep 37-year-old quarterback Drew Brees young.

“All those guys are ready, and they’re always prepared, and they know their opportunities will come,” Brees said. “And they work extremely hard, and they push one another too. I mean, there’s a pride and there’s a sense of competition from that group.”



Throw in rookie backups Tommylee Lewis (23) and Jake Lampman (23), and the Saints have the NFL’s third-youngest wide receiver corps, at an average age of 23.3.

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SaintFanInATLHELL

I've seen this statement repeated over and over since the offseason. It always felt like a kneejerk reaction to me.

The entire point of a mentor is to teach some missing element. I cannot for the life of me figure out exactly what that missing element is:

- Is it production? #1 passing offense.
- Is it work ethic? No evidence of a lack of work ethic. In fact it has been highlighted numerous time how Cooks, Snead, and Thomas have put in extra time.
- Is it X's and O's smarts? Again no indication that's missing either.
- Is it professionalism? No showboating. No off the field issues.

So what exactly am I missing here? What is it that Bolden, or Nicks, or Colston would bring to this group that would merit getting rid of one of them? I've seen calls for all three of them over the last 4-5 months.

Even Brandon Coleman is starting to grow on me.

SFIAH

Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO

Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.

QBREES9

We can find all these great WR, Why can't we find someone who can paly DEFENSE!!!!!!!

SaintFanInATLHELL

Actually, it's more fundamental than that. Why can't the Saints find players on defense that can remain healthy and available?

Lingering injuries at all three levels of the defense. Half of the cornerback corps wasn't on the roster during the preseason.

I think the only lack of availability in the receiver group has been Snead.

SFIAH

darstep

I was with you for a minute...

RailBoss

A lot of this early success comes from having a QB like Brees
chucking the ball at them.

The Dude

I think that's one big plus in our corner when it comes to replacing a HOF qb. We won't have the Qb anymore but we will have some good receivers to help the new Qb out as he progresses