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With punter Thomas Morstead, kicker Wil Lutz and long snapper Zach Wood, the New Orleans Saints are set with the specialists and there won’t be a need to use a draft pick on any of the three positions.
If the team desires to bolster competition at those areas leading to the regular season, however, the likely route will surround undrafted free agents.
The focus for the Saints should fall on returner, as electrifying running back Alvin Kamara, who took over kickoff return duties late in the 2017 regular season, shouldn’t be exposed unnecessarily to contact if at all possible.
On punt returns the past season, the Saints totaled 218 yards on 34 attempts, an average of just 6.4 yards per attempt to rank 25th in the league.
The kickoff unit proved better with 36 returns for 825 yards and a touchdown, averaging 22.9 per attempt to rank sixth in the league.
With those areas in mind, the below focuses on players with a proven collegiate track record as a returner while adding value at their natural position to the Saints’ roster.



SPECIAL TEAMS DEPTH CHART
Specialists: Thomas Morstead, Wil Lutz, Zach Wood
Returners: Ted Ginn Jr., Alvin Kamara, Tommylee Lewis, Trey Edmunds

Potential Day 1 (first round) selections
WR D.J. Chark, LSU

Potential Day 2 (rounds 2-3) selections
CB Mike Hughes, UCF
RB Rashaad Penny, San Diego State
WR Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
WR Dante Pettis, Washington

Potential Day 3 (rounds 4-7) selections
CB Darius Phillips, Western Michigan
CB Greg Stroman, Virginia Tech
WR Keke Coutee, Texas Tech
WR Byron Pringle, Kansas State

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K Major

Although we weren't bad last year on special teams, we can improve dramatically with a few added pieces this off season.

WR Dante Pettis, Washington ... here is a guy I think could be electric on special teams. TLL had a few "splashes" but unfortunately he isn't the home run threat we must have to change field position in a hurry.

Rugby Saint II

We barely made it to the twenty yard line when we ran it out of the end zone last year. We definitely need a return man to give Drew some good field position to work with.

AsylumGuido

The Saints finished 6th in the NFL in 2017 for kickoff return average yardage with 22.9 yards per return. They were also 7th in the league for total number of returns with 36.

They were among the very best in the league last season.

Just saying ...

jeanpierre

Agreed. Plus, if a guy has the skill set to help with punt returnS, then it's lagniappe; but don't waste a draft pick on a return specialists...

Especially with the lack of depth and priority need on the offensive and defensive lines - besides, we may not have kickoffs much longer...

K Major

In my Lee Corso voice ..."Not so fast my friend!".

Tyler Lockett
Pharoah Cooper
Tryrik Cohen
Ryan Switzer
Andre Roberts


^^^^ All drafted before Round 4 & all are difference makers in the punt return department. I don't think it's wasting a draft pick at all in return for a bona fide return specialists who can change the complexion & outcome of a football game on any given play.

Tommy Lee went undrafted for a reason.

triman

I see the need for a KR if a player is exceptional as KR that alone can justify a roster spot. If he can also contribute as a RB,WR ,that makes them even more valuable. The saints haven't had a guy like this since the Beerman

K Major

Too bad Marcus Murphy couldn't hold on to the football, otherwise there is a good chance he'd still have a job in New Orleans.

Beastmode

How many times did Murphy fumble? Looking at his stats and it's not showing one but I could have sworn he did. I really think it was something else going on there. He didn't get many opportunities. Pre-season I thought he looked solid.

jeanpierre

Now, don't be a jabronie like some haters - read my entire post - this is what I was alluding to...

NFL could eliminate kickoffs if injury rates don't drop | NFL | Sporting News

You're right to point out guys that can PR have some value, but they don't last in the NFL in just that role...

Give me a WR, 6' 3", big reliable catch radius, runs consistent routes, separates/shields off defenders, moves the chains methodically, eating clock with the run game...

And as Guido rightly pointed out, we looked pretty good last year with the PR game...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...