Wide receiver battle for Saints roster spots features deep group

It has been an ongoing topic of discussion and often a sore spot when talking about the New Orleans Saints.

Who is the third wide receiver? Is their an NFL quality player capable of making plays at that position?

The names have come and gone since Willie Snead and his 2015 and 2016 seasons, a very good third option behind Michael Thomas and Brandin Cooks.

There was Ted Ginn Jr. as the running mate for Thomas for a while.

We all know Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are the top dogs and proven, excellent players. In the case of Thomas, he is elite.

The promise of Tre’Quan Smith has provided hope that he would be the third cog but that has not happened yet. The upcoming season may be the litmus test, the put up or shut up year for Smith.

Still, he is the most likely candidate for the third spot.

Deonte Harris caught a deep ball from Taysom Hill in the playoff game with the Vikings a year ago and his speed cannot be ignored. He can stretch a defense like Ginn once did.

There have been players like Brandon Coleman, Cameron Meredith, Tommylee Lewis and Keith Kirkwood who have had shots.

The Saints even took a flyer on Dez Bryant and took a look at Brandon Marshall.

Still on the roster is Austin Carr, who has been here for three previous seasons and has just 10 catches.

There are legitimate candidates this year.

Emmanuel Butler was a training camp star a year ago and has shown well in camp this year.

Lil’Jordan Humphrey has size and was intriguing when he got a look last season.

Veteran Bennie Fowler is here because Drew Brees wanted him here.

Rookie Juwan Johnson is a big, interesting, hybrid player who can line up at wide receiver or tight end.

Then, there is Taysom Hill, who can line up at wide receiver or tight end.

With Thomas, Sanders, Smith and Harris occupying four roster spots there would seem to be just one other spot available, two at most if you count Harris simply in the return game.

Carr has been here three years and has just 10 catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns.

Fowler has six seasons in the league with 95 catches for 1,090 yards and six scores.

Humphrey (6-4, 225), Butler (6-4, 220) and Johnson (6-4, 231) are huge.

The reality is that you seldom go beyond a fourth wide receiver, particularly when you have tight ends who are big in the passing game like Jared Cook, to a degree, Josh Hill and with the expectation that Adam Trautman will be a good receiver.

The same is true when you have a running back who will figure prominently in the passing game such as Alvin Kamara and there is also the possibility of Ty Montgomery there as well, who came into the league as a wide receiver.

As a result, versatility may well determine the final roster spot granted to a wide receiver.

Montgomery could figure in the return game if Harris gets more snaps on offense. The same is true in reverse.

If you like a veteran presence, Fowler would seem to have an edge, based on productivity with Carr right there with him, due to his familiarity with the offense.

Of the three jumbo younger players, Humphrey saw action in five games last season.

Regardless of what Sean Payton, Pete Carmichael, Curtis Johnson and Ronald Curry decide on, it is likely that a player or two (or three) could fail to make a roster in New Orleans but could well make another NFL roster.

That is what happens with true Super Bowl contenders with depth all around.