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Marquez Callaway showed promise for Saints receiving corps in rookie campaign

Callaway didn’t put up huge numbers, but he looked comfortable in the Saints offense

NFL: New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

There’s a new No. 12 in town for the New Orleans Saints. While the number will always be held in reverence in New Orleans for the most snubbed player of all time — Marques Colston — rookie Marquez Callaway did it justice for the Saints. Callaway, an undrafted rookie out of Tennessee, turned in a few nice games for the Saints. Time will tell if it’s enough for him to be in their future plans.

Callaway’s breakout game came when Michael Thomas was injured and Emmanuel Sanders was inactive due to COVID-19 protocols. In Week 7 against the Panthers, Callaway became the de facto wide receiver, catching eight passes on 10 targets for 75 yards. While he didn’t take the top off the defense by any means, Callaway proved to be a reliable possession receiver. Much like another New Orleans receiver from the past.

All things told, Callaway finished the season with 21 catches for 213 yards, still seeking out that elusive first touchdown. While playing time suggests he fell just a little short of Tre’Quan Smith in trying to get the No. 3 receiver role, there was a certainly a lot of promise. Callaway will have to become more of a downfield threat to truly work, but for what the Saints were trying to do on offense last year, he was an ideal fit.


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