2016 New Orleans Saints Mid-Season Grades – Offense
By Bob Rose
Oct 16, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) catches a touchdown past Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Shaq Green-Thompson (54) during the fourth quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints won 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
WIDE RECEIVER / TIGHT END
(Just a quick note: while the wide receiver and tight end positions would normally be graded separately, we rank them together collectively because of how the Saints utilize the TE position within their offensive scheme)
The receiving trio of Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead and rookie Michael Thomas may very well be the best WR group in the entire NFL.
All 3 are young, dynamic play-makers that seem to be improving by leaps and bounds every game. Most importantly, they seem to have the complete trust in their future Hall of Fame quarterback.
None of the wide receivers are over the age of 24, so while growing pains are to be expected, they also seem to be maturing as a group.
Tight end Coby Fleener was slow in picking up the offensive system, with some even labeling him as a free agent “bust”. Fleener has had 2 huge games in the last month, and is slowly developing into a mid-range threat in the offense.
Brandon Coleman and Josh Hill have both disappointed in the past when top end expectations have been put on them, yet have proven to be good complimentary pieces when Brees’ primary weapons are neutralized.
I would truthfully take Cooks, Thomas and Snead over any trio in the NFL. Watching them go against the secondaries of Denver and Arizona in these next few weeks, will be worth the price of admission alone.
It will be interesting to see how their lack of experience translates into the high pressured intensity of a possible Playoff run.