By Jordan Long
The New Orleans Saints started training camp today. It is the first time in 15 years Drew Brees will not be their quarterback since he retired at the end of last season. Their new starting quarterback will be either Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill. Regardless of who is in the pocket star wide receiver Michael Thomas for is out for 6 weeks. They decided to add depth and sign wide receiver Chris Hogan.
Thomas is the Saints’ best wide receiver. He is the #1 target for the quarterback. Thomas creates separation from the defensive backs to be open. When he catches it, those will be for first downs or longer. Thomas didn’t have his best year last season catching a career low 40 passes for 438 yards and didn’t have a touchdown. Even so, his average yards per catch was 10.9 yards.
Thomas had surgery last month to repair ligaments in his ankle. He was placed on the PUP list (physically unable to perform) to start training camp. Thomas will miss all of camp and won’t be back until at least week 7 when the Saints face the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football at the earliest. The Saints added Chris Hogan to the wide receiver mix in hopes of replacing Thomas.
Hogan is entering his 10th year in the NFL. He has bounced around, playing for the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, and the New York Jets. Last year he was with the Jets for 5 games. They let him go on December 6th, 2020. He dealt with a high ankle sprain and wasn’t productive in the Jets’ offense with 14 catches for 118 yards.
The Saints wanted to replace Thomas’ production. On their roster, they have Marquez Callaway, Deonte Harris, and Tre’Quan Smith. Callaway is in his second year with the Saints. Last year he had 21 receptions for 213 yards, but didn’t have a touchdown. They are anticipating Callaway improves his game. Harris is going into his 3rd year. His stats don’t jump out either. In his career, he has recorded 26 receptions for 210 yards and 1 touchdown.
Smith is the best of the 3 who enters his 4th year in the NFL. He has totaled 1,109 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. His average yards per catch is 13.9 yards. Smith most likely will be the #1 receiver to start the season. The Saints needed another veteran wide receiver. Hogan fits that.
Hogan should be the #2 wide receiver on the depth chart for the Saints assuming he makes the team at least to begin the year. Hogan’s speed allows him to be open for passes. He has the ability to run crisp routes. Those have equaled 216 catches for 2,795 yards and 18 touchdowns in his career. His average yards per catch is 12.9 yards.
The Saints expect Hogan to be healthy. He has to show the ankle problems from last season are gone. That will go a long way towards earning a spot. The Saints know it takes all the wide receivers to replace Thomas. Once Thomas is ready to go by week 7, Hogan should still stay depending on his production. He could be used as the slot receiver. The Saints are lucky to find such a seasoned wide receiver this late in free agency.
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