Saints decision to release Brandon Coleman not surprising

It comes as no surprise.

In fact, the release of Brandon Coleman may have been inevitable, regardless of his health.

Coleman was released by the Saints earlier Sunday, with a failed physical designation. Coleman opened training camp on the physically unable to perform list.

Coleman performed admirably for the Saints but never became the player the franchise hoped he would be.

Originally seen as a natural (potentially) replacement for Marques Colston as the “big” receiver among the mix of wideouts on the squad, Coleman improved but never to the point of being a consistent, dependable receiver. He never approached the consistently high level of play Colston provided over a decade from 2006-2015.

Coleman came to the Saints as a free agent out of Rutgers in 2014 and did not play that season.

Since then, he played in all 16 games in each of three seasons from 2015-17, starting 14 games. Coleman had his best season in 2015, catching 30 passes for 454 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 15.1 yards per catch. In 2016, had 26 catches for 281 yards and three touchdowns and last season, Coleman had 23 receptions for 364 yards and three scores.

Perhaps Coleman’s greatest value was his improved run blocking, which paved the way for the best rushing season for the Saints in many years in 2017.

Coleman lacked the ability to separate and had a few key drops while here. Had the Saints not vastly improved their wide receiver position this year, Coleman may have maintained his position on the team.

The Saints added proven veteran Cameron Meredith and drafted Tre’Quan Smith in the third round. Meredith is ahead of schedule in recovering from a knee injury suffered last year with the Chicago Bears while Smith has been very impressive early in training camp.

Additionally, the team recently added veterans Michael Floyd and Brandon Tate to the mix.

With Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn, Jr., Meredith and Smith seemingly locked in at the first four spots, the fifth and final spot is up for grabs and the possibility of Tate or Tommylee Lewis, both of whom figure prominently in the return game, grabbing the final spot is likely.

The Saints also released offensive lineman John Fullington with an injury designation. If Fullington clears waivers, it is quite possible that the Saints would bring him back by signing him to the practice squad.

Filling the two roster spots are safety Rickey Jefferson of Destrehan and LSU and tight end John Phillips, whom the Saints re-signed.