2020 has altered how the NFL year was expected to go in many ways. Players missing time because of the Coronavirus or having a shortened offseason with no preseason both factor as to why players are missing games especially after the massacre of injuries that happened week 2.
With news that Michael Thomas is expected to miss this week seven matchup with the Carolina Panthers comes Emmanuel Sanders being put on the Covid List. Things will look a lot different for the Saints. Obvious expectations are that Jared Cook, Alvin Kamara, and Tre’Quan Smith will have even more opportunities. The questions that popped into my head are: What two or three other receivers will have to step up in the rotation?
Tre’Quan Smith has been establishing himself as someone who can come in and make plays the last few weeks. Next in line are Deonte Harris & Marquez Callaway. The Swiss Army knife Taysom Hill may find himself out wide running a fewer routes than usual.
Deonte Harris
Harris is a return specialist who is coming back from missing some time with his own hamstring injury. The coaches have been hinting at getting him some more opportunities on offense. They may be forced to do so this week. He is electric with the ball in his hands and doesn’t have a great deal of NFL film.
Marquez Callaway
Marquez Callaway is also a player with minimal NFL film. He saw snaps at receiver against the Charger in addition to his work as a returner in place of Harris. Callawy impressed while show his strength and explosion. He has run after the catch potential that has not been unlocked yet. Both Harris and Callaway are undrafted free agents from the last 2 drafts. Despite their undrafted status, they have potential to be on display earlier than expected.
Taysom Hill
Taysom Hill needs no introduction. He has been a key player the past couple years helping convert first downs and catching teams off guard. They appear to have caught on to some of the his go-to plays the teams have set up for him. It’s time the Saints reinvent the way he is used. This season has 2020 written all over it, and it not even complete yet.
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