Greg Jennings Would Be Good Low-Risk Signing For Saints

In an article about three weeks ago I asked the question on if the New Orleans Saints should bring in some free agent wide receivers as free agency started to settle down.

The idea didn’t seem too far fetched given the team had lost two high profile pass catchers in tight end Jimmy Graham and wide receiver Kenny Stills.

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I profiled a few options like Dwayne Bowe and even Michael Crabtree. Bowe would sign soon after with the Cleveland Browns and Crabtree most recently with the Oakland Raiders.

A third option that I threw out was former Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Greg Jennings.

Well according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport it looks like that option is in play as Jennings will visit with the Saints this week.

After his #Jaguars visit, the plan for WR Greg Jennings included a FA visit with the #Saints, source said. Played with Rodgers. Brees next?
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 14, 2015

I’ll be the first to admit that the idea of Jennings coming to New Orleans seemed way out in left field for a few reasons.

First is Jennings is 31 years old which in the NFL means there may be a few more years at best of tread left on the tires so to speak especially at the receiver position.

Second was that with the Saints and their salary cap situation at the time, it didn’t seem likely that Jennings would want to sign for the veteran minimum.

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He was coming off a 5-year, $47.5 million dollar deal with the Vikings who jettisoned him after they felt his production didn’t meet expectations and for some salary cap relief.

The third thing that was of concern was Jennings injury history from just a few years back starting in 2012.

Jennings dealt with a groin injury for a majority of that year and missed half the season due to it.

With the Vikings in 2013 he had a knee and Achilles issues towards the end of the season but still appeared in 15 games.

He also managed to have 68 receptions for 804 yards and 4 touchdowns with an average of 11.8 yards a per catch.

Nov 30, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Greg Jennings (15) catches a pass against the Carolina Panthers for a 17 yard touchdown catch in the second quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Pro Football Focus had him as the 48th ranked receiver out of 216 and gave him a grade of +2.8 in both receiving and overall as a receiver for 2013.

For 2014 Jennings played in all 15 games and had 59 receptions for 742 yards and 6 touchdowns and averaged 12.6 yards per catch.

His rankings slipped with PFF and he fell to the 65th ranked receiver out of 218 and graded out at -1.0 in receiving and a flat 0.0 overall.

While it looks like that age factor I mentioned may be rearing it’s ugly head, in all fairness to Jennings it could be the simple fact of scheme and talent surrounding him.

Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was thrust into the fire after an injury to starter Matt Cassel early in 2014 and struggled to find his footing.

Jennings has made other visits with teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Miami Dolphins but New Orleans would be a good fit for him and vice versa.

The Saints could get could get a low risk signing for a receiver that would bring a receiving option for quarterback Drew Brees.

Also Jennings would be someone who the organization is shown they are gravitating to this season which is a veteran player who can provide a leadership role and show younger players what it takes to win……

Next: Is There A Ray of Light for the Saints on Draft Night?

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