Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
The big play wide receiver is a special breed in the NFL and the New Orleans Saints have one of the best in wide receiver Rashid Shaheed.
One of the league’s top home run hitters looks like he could be on the brink of stardom in New Orleans. From the beginning of the 2023 NFL regular season until his injury last year, Shaheed was tied with explosive Miami Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill for the most 40-plus yard receptions.
Rashid Shaheed moving at a different speed pic.twitter.com/SWVuDqWfXo
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) June 11, 2025
On that list, he found himself not just in the company of Hill, but players like Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase and now-Washington Commanders playmaker Deebo Samuel.
His rankings among those star players was no fluke. Shaheed is every bit as advertised a game-breaker in the league. And now, his role is getting larger.
“My role is just expanding and that’s exactly what I want,” he said during training camp media availability.
From an extended route tree to bulking up and maintaining his speed, Shaheed is setting himself up for a big year.
Rattler to Shaheed 🙌#Saints pic.twitter.com/TgrN09naLj
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 5, 2025
Saints head coach Kellen Moore’s offense promises to elevate Shaheed’s play by getting him more involved in the short and intermediate areas of the field. Moore has long been successful scheming receivers open and into more catch and run opportunities.
The Weber State speedster’s downfield plays aren’t about to disappear, but adding in more levels of attack will only increase the volume of plays he’ll have the ability to make elsewhere.
Team drills
Spencer Rattler to Rashid Shaheed on a slant. Shaheed takes it to the house for the TD. @wdsu pic.twitter.com/XsqImEnPyY
— Sharief Ishaq (@ShariefWDSU) July 25, 2025
Shaheed said he plans to play this season at around 190 pounds, the heaviest of his career, but noted he hasn’t lost any speed or athleticism with the added weight. Bulking up should help with durability, keeping him on the field and further maximizing his chances to play his way into the game’s brightest lights.
Add to the big-play ability, his explosive special teams acumen, glowing personality and relentless determination and Shaheed is ready for his next step into stardom.
