While Kelvin Banks Jr.’s arrival could eventually shake up the interior offensive line, the Saints’ miss at wide receiver stands out as a real concern.
But it wasn’t without effort.
“I think there was a couple times when we thought we were going to get a receiver at a particular slot,” general manager Mickey Loomis said in his post-draft press conference. “And they got taken a few picks above us. So, it just didn’t work out.”
Fifteen wide receivers were drafted within 10 picks before the Saints’ selection, but two stand out as the likely targets Loomis referenced.
The Saints had pre-draft contact with a number of these wide receivers. Beyond the typical Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine meetings, a few spent time with New Orleans via workouts, Pro Day meetings, and even top-30 visits.
Of those reported (which is not representative of the whole):
Judging by what the Saints needed most, a big-bodied wide receiver, only three of these receivers, McMillan, TeSlaa, and Williams, fit the mold. New Orleans had some noticeable trends in their draft class.
Those trends included: team captain experience, number of games played, and clean medical history. Applying those criteria to the five players with pre-draft exposure to the Saints, TeSlaa and Williams may have been the top options that New Orlenas missed out on among the group of 15 wideouts taken before them.
If the team still wants to land a big-bodied wideout, they have avenues. While undrafted free agency hasn’t yet yielded such a prototype one day after the selection process, there are still options in free agency, some of which already have experience with head coach Kellen Moore.
Last year’s fifth-round pick Bub Means could rise to the occasion, as well. With his 6-foot-1 and 212 lbs range, he may not fit the role of a former wideout like Michael Thomas, but he could potentially still contribute as a possession receiver with size that has the speed to stretch the field. This change in offensive scheme and clean slate could be a major opportunity for the second-year receiver.
