By Ross Jackson
After pursuing wide receivers in this year’s NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints came up short, at least when it came to a big-bodied wideout that could complement the speed the team already has on its roster.
Even in undrafted free agency, the team didn’t land any receiver at 6-foot or above in SMU’s Moochie Dixon and Notre Dame’s Chris Tyree, a converted running back. While both players have a ton of talent, the mold and prototype of the physical pass-catcher is still missing from the Saints’ wide receiver room.
Perhaps second-year wide receiver Bub Means could prove to be that player over the course of training camp, but the Saints would be better off leaving nothing to chance.
That’s why the team should reunite head coach Kellen Moore with one of his most productive weapons, wide receiver Keenan Allen.
Keenan Allen on new OC Kellen Moore:
“He’s player friendly. He’s played before so he knows what we like, what we don’t like and how defenses will play.
Rather than sticking to something that’s been in the offense for a long time, he’s willing to change it and make it more… pic.twitter.com/QkP7tObgts
— Coach Dan Casey (@CoachDanCasey) June 1, 2023
Allen, who spent last year with the Chicago Bears, is a veteran receiver with great size and possession skills. He won’t have to be the team’s No. 1 option with deep threats like Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed on offense, but playing a role close to the line of scrimmage would help to open up the game of the team’s field-stretching options while also providing the Saints’ new young quarterback a go-to option.
Moore and Allen worked together in 2023 while Moore was the offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers. During that time, Allen enjoyed plenty of success and attention, piling up stats that consistently ranked within the top-three single-season totals in his career.
* 150 targets (No. 3)
* 108 receptions (No. 1)
* 1,243 receiving yards (No. 2)
* 7 touchdown catches (T-No.2)
Allen wouldn’t have to be the primary focus in the Saints’ offense, which does have a lot of mouths to feed. That makes it a comfortable landing spot for the veteran receiver. However, at this point in his career, he may be more likely to find a spot with a team that projects to be more competitive in 2025 for a championship. That would be hard to contend with for the Saints. But if Allen is looking for a place with familiarity, support and patience, New Orleans would be a great destination for him.
