Saints training camp previews: Receivers, tight ends feature added competition for snaps, roster spots

(This is Part 3 of a seven-part series previewing the Saints position by position heading into training camp.)

Position:  Wide receiver/Tight end (17) — 218

Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn Jr., Brandon Coleman, Tommylee Lewis, Cameron Meredith, Tre’Quan Smith, Travin Dural, Austin Carr, Dan Arnold, Josh Huff, Keith Kirkwood, Eldridge Massington
Josh Hill (TE), Michael Hoomanawanui (TE), Benjamin Watson (TE), Garrett Griffin (TE), Deon Yelder (TE)

Overview: The Saints used free agency and the draft to bolster what was already a strong, though not necessarily deep, position. Thomas has emerged as a star in his first two seasons, and Ginn provided a solid veteran complement in his first season in New Orleans last season. But there was little consistency behind those two or from the tight ends last season. The Saints allowed Coleman to test the market as a restricted free agent before bringing him back, and Willie Snead IV was allowed to sign with Baltimore. New Orleans signed Meredith from the Bears and drafted Smith in hopes of giving Drew Brees more dependable targets besides just Thomas and Ginn, in a scheme that utilizes three- and four-receiver sets. The Saints brought back Watson in free agency to try and increase the receiving productivity of the tight end group. It might be unrealistic to expect him at age 37 to duplicate the production he had in his previous stint (2013-15), but he’s a valuable leader as well and was signed after Coby Fleener was released in the wake of a disappointing two-season stay. Hoomanawanui and Hill are dependable veterans.

Starters at the end of 2017: Thomas, Ginn; Hill
Other returning players: Coleman, Lewis, Dural, Carr, Arnold, Hoomanawanui, Griffin
Subtractions: Willie Snead IV
Additions: Meredith, Smith, Huff, Kirkwood, Massington; Watson, Yelder
Player to watch: Meredith

Game plan: Wide receiver — to develop more consistent threats beyond Thomas and Ginn, presumably in the persons of Meredith and Smith. Meredith is coming off a major knee injury, which scared off the Bears, but he’s expected to be ready for the start of the season. He could be a valuable weapon from the slot, especially on third down. He’ll likely be brought along gradually in training camp and the preseason. Smith will be worth watching in preseason games to see if he’s ready to contribute as a rookie. Lewis’ primary contributions have been as a returner and he faces a challenge to stay on the roster, but he has been a standout during the off-season program. Tight end — to get the position more involved in the passing game than it has been since Jimmy Graham’s departure after the 2014 season. Coach Sean Payton uses a lot of two tight-end sets, utilizing some as blockers and some as receivers. None of the current candidates appears to be a top-flight blocker and a top-flight receiver. Yelder is an intriguing undrafted free agent worth keeping an eye on during training camp and preseason games. This is one of the more likely positions at which New Orleans could still bring someone else is.

Quote to note: “He is ahead of schedule. That is encouraging. … He (is) way ahead of schedule and certainly where our doctors had hoped (he would be) and even better. So he’s going to factor in this year. He’s a player that we’ve got a real clear vision for.” –Payton on Meredith’s return from major knee surgery.

Series schedule:
June 13: Quarterbacks
June 20: Running backs/fullbacks
June 27: Wide receivers/tight ends
July 4: Offensive line
July 11: Defensive line
July 18: Linebackers
July 25: Defensive backs