The New Orleans Saints have tried to replace Michael Thomas in all sorts of ways this offseason.
First, New Orleans went shopping in free agency: The Saints added a trio of wide receivers in Cedrick Wilson Jr. (two years, $5.75 million), Equanimeous St. Brown (one year, $1.13 million) and Stanley Morgan (one year, $1.13 million). Then, when the draft rolled around, the team selected Pittsburgh’s Bub Means in the fifth round. And for good measure, the Saints even took some flyers on several undrafted free agents and are banking on the growth of internal options such as Rashid Shaheed and A.T. Perry.
The result has created quite a competition that’s in the process of unfolding.
“That is going to sort out as we get closer to the season,” coach Dennis Allen said.
Current group
- Chris Olave
- Rashid Shaheed
- A.T. Perry
- Cedrick Wilson Jr.
- Equanimeous St. Brown
- Stanley Morgan
- Bub Means
- Mason Tipton
- Jermaine Jackson
Burning question
How much will the Saints miss Michael Thomas? And who will fill his void?
This is far from the first time, of course, the Saints have had to go about finding a solution when Thomas isn’t available. And in that sense, New Orleans found its answer long before the wide receiver was released in the spring: Olave has become the Saints’ clear-cut No. 1 receiver over the last two seasons.
“I just try to lead by example,” said Olave, who has had more than 1,000 receiving yards in back-to-back seasons to begin his career. “I’m not really outspoken ... working hard, trying to dominate every rep, and hopefully they’ll follow after that.”
But there’s a significant difference knowing that Thomas is no longer on the roster. And the Saints will still need someone to step up. In 10 games last year, Thomas caught 39 catches for 448 yards and a touchdown. That receiving yardage ranked third among the Saints’ receivers.
So who will become the Saints’ third receiver this year? That’s wide open, as of now. Perry, a sixth-round pick last year, caught four touchdowns in 2023 but does not seem to have firm control of the role. He’s being pushed primarily by Wilson and St. Brown, two veterans coming off stints with the Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears, respectively. All three flashed throughout OTAs and mandatory minicamp.
Bold prediction
From a national standpoint, Olave might be the most underrated receiver in the league. Let’s predict that won’t be the case any longer.
If Olave again surpasses the 1,000-yard marker next season, he’ll become just the 10th receiver to begin his career with three straight 1,000 yard seasons in the NFL history. Another member of the 2022 draft class — the Jets’ Garrett Wilson— can also join that group, but that wouldn’t take away from that accomplishment.
Olave should hit that figure again, but the way he goes about it could be a lot different. With new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Olave has a great opportunity to rack up yards after the catch. That’s something that Kubiak emphasized both when he was an offensive coordinator in Minnesota in 2021 and with the San Francisco 49ers last year as their passing-game coordinator. When Olave last met with reporters in June, he kept noting how Kubiak’s offense creates space for playmakers and how that should allow him to get free in the open field.
“I’m excited to be in this system,” Olave said.
Olave’s career high in yards after the catch is 347, which was set last year. As a bonus prediction, let’s guess that at least 500 of Olave’s receiving yards will come after the catch next season. That was done by 18 players last season, according to Stathead. That should be an attainable and realistic goal.