The New Orleans Saints entered the 2024 NFL Draft with a plan. Their needs were clear, so they made sure to address them with their seven selections. New Orleans got things started by drafting Taliese Fuaga, an offensive lineman that can immediately help the team. Then the Saints drafted Kool-Aid McKinstry, a corner that will be a big contributor in the secondary. New Orleans also selected Spencer Rattler, giving the team a backup QB and possible quarterback of the future.
With the team’s final four selections, the Saints found depth at receiver in Bub Means, linebacker in Jaylan Ford, interior defensive line in Khristian Boyd, and offensive line in Josiah Ezirim. All of these selections address important needs the Saints had, either at the starting position or from a depth standpoint.
The Bub Means selection is an interesting one, because New Orleans could really use a third playmaker in the receiver room. With Michael Thomas currently a free agent, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are the top two returning receivers. The third receiver could be second-year player A.T. Perry, the recently signed Cedrick Wilson, or Bub Means. However, it’s fair to ask if any of those guys are at the level New Orleans will need them to be.
Only time will tell, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. That means the Saints need to go after some veteran free agents. Fortunately, there are still quality receivers available. The one that New Orleans should really pursue is Odell Beckham Jr.
Saints should pursue Odell Beckham Jr.
Among the remaining free agent receivers, the best are Beckham and Tyler Boyd. Boyd could definitely be helpful in New Orleans but he recently visited with the Tennessee Titans and could be reuniting with his former offensive coordinator Brian Callahan. That leaves Odell Beckham Jr., who could really help the Saints.
Sure, it would be a nice story since Beckham is from Louisiana and attended LSU, but the move makes a ton of football sense as well. Some fans may be in a hurry to write off Beckham and point out that he’s not the receiver he once was, but he still can be productive in this league.
Last season with the Baltimore Ravens, Beckham caught 35 passes for 565 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games. He did that in a limited role, playing just 50% of the team’s offensive snaps. He’s more than capable of being an elite third receiver for the Saints next season.
