I would be curious to take an in depth look at the all 22's and see how often he is open when on the field. As I pointed out earlier, on all designed plays there are designed options #1 through #5. As long as Thomas is on the field he is going to be that first option much more often than not. Sanders would be #2 and then Cook or Kamara. Smith could be open every single play and never see the ball because of play design. Once again, a QB does not throw the ball to the most open receiver ... unless there is a totally blown coverage. They throw the ball to the FIRST open receiver in the play's progression.

At this point Smith's job is to be that 4th or 5th option. Undoubtedly there are a few plays where he might be up that option list a little higher and there may even be one or two plays per game where he is option #1. The only way he is going to be a six or seven catch guy on our current roster is for others to not be doing their job.

A 3rd rd draft selection is your 4th or 5th option? ... Taysom is doing what TS should be doing in this offense.

AG - TQS is exactly who he is. He’s a low upside WR who is a solid blocker who struggles significantly to get separation. He does nothing particularly well...he’s not a burner and won’t be winning deep unless he’s left open, he doesn’t win contested passes over the middle of the field, and does little after the catch. He’s pretty much the definition of “meh”. He’s just good enough to be on an NFL roster but not someone you’re thrilled about having a significant role.

That IS his role, however. That is far more on Payton and Carmichael than it is on Smith himself. You are far too hung up on draft position. It matters not whether he was drafted in the 1st or undrafted. He is playing the role he is given. With Thomas out his role will undoubtedly change to some degree, as will the role of % most others.

And I have a feeling you are projecting "struggling significantly to get separation" as a reason for few targets. That's why I think it would be a good idea to verify that is indeed a fact by checking out the all 22's. I think you would be surprised how often he is indeed open.

Then why spend a third round pick when you can get that production from an undrafted rookie free agent?

And when you continually blow your Day 1, Day 2 picks on specialized downfield blockers, you limit your success on the field before you even take the field...

Further, look at draft history, most, nearly all All-Pro, HOF talent is gone in the first two days, so it doesn't follow that it doesn't matter where a player is picked; gaffing there eliminates the talent pool from your roster...

All-Pros and HOFers on Day 3 and as UDFA are the outlier, not the norm...

It was a bad pick then, there were better players that met stronger needs for this team, and once again, Payton's weakness is shown as a Draft Manager...

Payton's a great offensive coordinator, but when it comes to personnel decisions, the team really needs a stronger GM who can override Payton on draft day and make the smarter moves...

Belichick wisely listens to counsel; Sean could learn to exercise some humility and understand spreading out the decision making and trusting guys like Ireland to get him the players for success...

Some simply won't admit that 3quan was a poor 3rd day draft selection and I'm not sure what to make of this Davenport kid. When he's injured, he's injured and gone for weeks at a time.

This year will be different though … ** welp **, right ?

K, I can separate the results from the actual move/trade/pick. With Davenport, I liked the move then, still like the aggressiveness to this day. It may not turn out well, when all has been said and done, but I did/do like the aggressive nature that got him here..., and I see why the team was high on him.

Bottom line though is two firsts is expensive, very expensive, and he will be judged to that price. Fair or not. Anybody who says: “he isn’t even worth one first, much less two” is somebody who I understand where they are coming from. I truly do hope he gets on the field soon, very soon, stays there through the playoffs and shuts all of us who are worried over him up. That’s up to him, ball (literally) is in his court.

I absolutely respect Davenport's ability … when he is on the field however he's been inactive for about 40% of his time in New Orleans. #1 draft picks do not survive long in this league if they are barely on the field.

Remember, both of his injuries happened towards the end of the seasons playoff run & the pass rush basically disappeared.

The interesting indicator here will be whether the Saints pick up the 5th year option.

And I agree, hopefully he sees the field soon.

K, I can separate the results from the actual move/trade/pick. With Davenport, I liked the move then, still like the aggressiveness to this day. It may not turn out well, when all has been said and done, but I did/do like the aggressive nature that got him here..., and I see why the team was high on him.

Bottom line though is two firsts is expensive, very expensive, and he will be judged to that price. Fair or not. Anybody who says: “he isn’t even worth one first, much less two” is somebody who I understand where they are coming from. I truly do hope he gets on the field soon, very soon, stays there through the playoffs and shuts all of us who are worried over him up. That’s up to him, ball (literally) is in his court.

TS pick isn’t as worrisome to me as the Davenport trade. Specifically targeting an individual, and moving forward with acquiring him using more than one first round picks just isn’t the same as sitting at 91 and picking the WR you like, or best player available on your board. The latter is a “meh, let’s see” pick and the former is a “this guy we gotta have” pick.

For me, I constantly compare Ohio St. prospect, now Cincinnati Bengal DE Sam Hubbard, Round 3, Pick No. 77 in the same draft as Davenport...

Davenport may have a slight edge in recorded pressures according to services like PFF, but compare their career stats...

Davenport 53 Tot Tkl; 10.5 Sacks; 4 FF; 0 FR; 2 PD; 0 DTD

Hubbard 115 Tot Tkl; 14.5 Sacks; 2 FF; 1 FR; 5 PD; 1 DTD

That's Two First and a Fifth vs the investment of a 3rd Round pick...

I like Davenport, even have him on my FF team; and the same with Ingram; but I hated the poor draft management of spending multiple picks when you can find that rookie contract production down the line...

And, whether those who disagree about Davenport the player, you can directly attribute further multipick moves down the line to that overspend on Davenport (McCoy, Ruiz, Baun, Trautman)...

The draft history is there; unfortunately, Payton still has yet to respect the history to learn from it...

Some simply won't admit that 3quan was a poor 3rd day draft selection and I'm not sure what to make of this Davenport kid. When he's injured, he's injured and gone for weeks at a time.

This year will be different though … ** welp **, right ?