With New Orleans Saints rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson set to miss the opening of the team’s regular season, the opportunity ahead for other wideouts is unmistakable. The next man up mentality is opening the door for other rookies as well as some young veterans looking to prove themselves.
The Locks
Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele, Bryce Lance, Barion Brown, Jordyn Tyson*
With Tyson a candidate for injured reserve, the top four wideouts are otherwise set. The conversation here is whether or not Lance or Brown sees more snaps between Olave and Vele. Game situations and matchups could end up dictating that more than anything else.
But the opportunity for both players to open the season is more than certainly available with Tyson expected to be sidelined.
Competing For A Role
Kevin Austin Jr., Bub Means, Ronnie Bell
This is where the veteran experience comes at a premium. Should Tyson start on Injured Reserve, a fifth wide receiver spot could be opening up on the initial 53-man roster. Austin, Means and Bell have had the most production thus far throughout training camp and the preseason.
All three are viable options to hold down a role as one of the team’s backups. The general rule of thumb here will be that the player that can do the most earns the spot. That’s why Austin should be seen as a frontrunner for now. His ability to block, make tough catches over the middle and serve multiple roles from multiple alignments makes him an unheralded but valuable asset. Though Means is making his push after an impressive preseason debut.
Players Vying For Opportunity
Trey Palmer, Jalen Cropper, Mason Tipton, Brock Rechsteiner
Rechsteiner is the player most on the outside looking in due to his six-game suspension to start the regular season. Meanwhile Tipton hasn’t yet debuted in camp.
While Cropper is the newest of the bunch and therefore has the steepest hill to climb to the roster, Palmer has started his ascension thanks to his own promising preseason performance.
He’ll have to replicate it more consistently in the training camp environment, but if he does, he could easily leap into the competition tier.
With a pair of joint practices and preseason games upcoming, the wide receiver room has quickly become one of the most intriguing to watch as camp continues.
