Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
With all of the changes expected for the New Orleans Saints on offense this season, one position that is going to come into focus will be the slot receiver role.
The Saints might see more three wide receiver sets than last year now that new head coach Kellen Moore is leading the way.
While the Saints can be set on the outside, assuming receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed stay healthy, the team has to find a solution in the slot.
Two options are the standouts here with one underrated possibility.
Brandin Cooks
Cooks was the big free agent acquisition at the position this offseason. Meaning it makes sense that he would find his way to the field often. Though he may find most of his reps on the outside, which matches his career trajectory thus far.
Cooks only saw more than 30% of his seasons’ snaps come from the slot in five seasons, per Pro Football Focus. His first three in the league, 2019, 2021 and 2023. If he saw more than 40% in 2025, it would be a big change from his usual usage. Despite that, Moore may look to go against the grain a bit throughout the season in order to get his best wideouts out in the field.
Cedrick Wilson Jr.
Wilson’s best season of his career came in 2021 working with Moore as members of the Dallas Cowboys. During that year, he saw 90% of his snaps come from the inside. He’s also seen more than 30% of his snaps come from the slot in every years of his career, including 48.2% in last year’s Saints’ offense.
If the Saints are looking for experience in the slot, Wilson is an obvious choice.
Mason Tipton
Tipton is known to be a speedster, but his route running has also impressed. If his injury didn’t limit his 2024 training camp after a fast start, he could have played his way into a larger role his rookie season. Now, entering year two, Tipton could prove to be a guy that the Saints need to find ways to get on the field. The slot could be an interesting way to utilize his movement and speed skills.
