[WATCH] Three wide receiver prospects who could have an immediate impact with the Saints

Year after year, fans look for the New Orleans Saints to add a new, shiny, dynamic weapon at the wide receiver position. However, whether it’s because the board didn’t fall a certain way, the value wasn’t there, or many other reasons, it just hasn’t seemed to work out for the team to do so. Could this year be different?

A change at the quarterback position could entice New Orleans to equip their new signal caller with as many weapons and wrinkles as possible. A shift away from Drew Brees’ pinpoint accuracy and acute awareness may necessitate more explosive and dynamic molds. If any or all of this is true, the Saints could finally be in the wide receiver market at just the right time.

Terrace Marshall, Jr - LSU

Much like the last article, the helmet doesn’t mean much to me. It’s undeniable the assets that a receiver like Marshall brings to any NFL squad. His size at 6’2” and 205 pounds matches the Saints’ prototype, they won’t have to venture far away from what they’re comfortable with to land this field stretcher.

4.38 speed, long strides, excellent body control and, ability to create separation all generate excitement around the Bossier City native. He’s a player that would operate well in a multitude of different usages. Can play inside and out, can be a threat downfield, but can also make some plays with the ball in his hands nearer the line of scrimmage.

He’s a great asset for any team looking for an extra gear from a player that can also play it safe. The perfect blend of risk and reliability.

Marshall is sure to draw attention from other teams in this range like the Baltimore Ravens and Green Bay Packers. But if he’s available at 28 and the Saints have already lost out on their top corners and linebackers, Marshall is far more than a conciliation prize.

Kadarius Toney - Florida

Same goes for this dynamic playmaker from the other swamp. Toney is absolutely electrifying with the ball in his hands, can also play inside and out, and can do a ton in a Sean Payton offense.

Trevor Sikkema of The Draft Network once referred to Toney in the Saints’ offense as “objectively hilarious” because of all the ways Payton could scheme him up. Inside/outside, in the short-yardage game, in the screen game, out the backfield, he can even throw the ball if you need him too. He’s a jack-of-all-trades type player who could be a difference maker with the right coach.

Sean Payton is that coach.

His 9.00 RAS score puts him right on the cusp of the Saints’ preference at the position in the draft. Not a lot of reason to overlook the Florida product outside of his size, which is a touch under the ideal measurement for New Orleans. But sometime you make exceptions when a player bring you so many tools with which to work.

Toney could also be had in the bottom of the first round if the board falls in an unfriendly manner for the defensive needs, but could also be a trade up target in the early second round if the Saints like him enough and the value is right.

He’s also a rapper as well, so I’m all for more music coming from this locker room.

Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Dyami Brown - North Carolina

Feel like breaking molds outside of the fist round? Dyami Brown is definitely your guy, then. Just a touch “undersized” at 6’ and under 200 pounds, Brown is a deep threat through and through. He averaged 20 yard per catch in 2020 and 20.3 in 2019, compiling over 1,000 yards in each year and totaling 20 touchdowns.

Brown could be the perfect complement to a Jameis Winston-led offense, if he were to win the quarterback battle. Looking back at the 2019 season, Winston finished the season with WR Breshad Perriman after both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were hurt. In those final three games, Perriman and Winston combined for 20 catches for 419 yards and 5 touchdowns. That’s an average of 21 yards per reception.

Brown could find a similar home run role in the Saints offense in 2021. And drafting a player like him in Day 2 would be indicative of an offensive scheme shift to one that’s ready to take the top off at a moment’s notice even if it does remain a little conservative at times.

My Pick: Kadarius Toney

Really want to see the Saints invest in defense in the first round, meaning that either Toney or Brown would make the most sense. Even as potential trade-up targets in the second round. But Toney separates from the pair because of the lagniappe he provides.

His ability to do just about anything you ask of him is wildly unique and could be mismanaged or wasted in certain situations. New Orleans could be one of those perfect landing spots for a playmaker who also mentioned to NFL Network that he models his game in part after Saints running back Alvin Kamara.

Which wide receiver do you like best in this year’s draft? Make sure you follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter at @SaintsCSC , “Like” us on Facebook at Canal Street Chronicles, and make sure you’re subscribed to our new YouTube channel. As always, you can follow me on Twitter @RossJacksonNOLA and subscribe to my daily Saints podcast, Locked On Saints.