By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS — Help is most certainly wanted in the case of the New Orleans Saints and wide receiver looks to be the first position they’re set to address.
Per NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, New Orleans is set to host free agent wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a work out at the beginning of the week.
The Saints have pursued other methods to address their need at the position. Their Davante Adams pursuit fell short and the team has previously been connected to another wideout, Mike Williams, as a trade target. But this free agent pursuit may be the most logical way to go next.
This isn’t the first time the Saints and Valdes-Scantling have had talks. Back in 2022, New Orleans was the favorite to land the veteran wide out in free agency until the Kansas City Chiefs swooped in with a more appealing deal.
This time, the Saints shouldn’t have much in their way if things go well during the workout. Valdes-Scantling started this season with the Buffalo Bills but was released after the team landed former Cleveland Browns receiver Amari Cooper via trade.
The 6-foot-4, 206-pound pass-catcher appeared in all six games with the Bills this season. He was targeted 9 times catching only 2 passes for 26 receiving yards.
Valdes-Scantling is a big-bodied receiver with excellent speed. However, he has never had a better catch percentage than his 52.4% catch rate with the Green Bay Packers in 2020.
Over his seven year career, the 30-year old wideout has accounted for 189 catches for 3,181 yards and 16 receiving touchdowns. The biggest concern around his career production is his 49.6 percent career catch rate. His nine percent career drop rate will be something to watch if the Saints sign him, as that will be the highest percentage among Saints receivers.
The bottom line is that New Orleans needs help at the position. With key field-stretcher Rashid Shaheed out for the year and star receiver Chris Olave working his way out of concussion protocol, the position is quite banged up. Valdes-Scantling would give the team a new target, to which they’ve previously shown interest that could help them moving forward through 2024.
