Rashid Shaheed had a lot of downtime after a season-ending meniscus tear to end his 2025 campaign. He didn't waste it.
The Saints speedster put on another 10 pounds of muscle as he worked back, something he hoped would give him an edge in physicality as he develops as an all-around receiver.
"I never thought I’d play at 190, but here I am," Shaheed said. "I feel great at this, I spent a lot of time making sure I could still move at this weight throughout the offseason."
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That added physicality to go with the speed have been apparent throughout the offseason. Shaheed suffered his injury during a loss to the Broncos in Week 7 of the 2024 season, opting to have season-ending surgery. The rehab process was lengthy, but he started to feel back to 100% around March, and he's only built from there.
The xx-year-old, entering a contract year, was a full-go from the start of the offseason program. He was out catching deep balls from Tyler Shough at OTAs and he had a long catch-and-run from Spencer Rattler early in camp. But it's been since the pads came on that he showed the increased physcality. On Wednesday in the first set of 1-on-1 drills this offseason he was locked up with Ike Yiadom, who held the entire way and even pulled Shaheed shoulder pad out from his jersey. No matter, the WR worked back to the ball and completed the catch before signaling to the official nearby that he was clearly fouled.
Later on in the practice it he had to leave his feet to haul in a ball from Tyler Shough, which allowed Rezjohn Wright to close the space and lay a big hit (at least by training camp standards) that might have irked some other WRs, but not Shaheed. He simply popped up immediately to his feet and hopped in place with a big smile. He made the catch and enjoyed every moment of it.
"He’s becoming a total wideout," WRs coach Keith Williams told me earlier this offseason. "His route tree is vast and growing. ... I think he’s improved so much in his combative catches. ... I’m ecstatic about where he is in terms of just his total game and as far as his development.”
But that's only the first step for Shaheed, who is looking for his first 1,000-yard season in the NFL. He'll continue to be an elite deep threat, with a career average of 16.6 yards per reception, but it's the underneath, catch-and-run opportunities that will take his game to the next level. That's what he sees as a massive opportunity in Kellen Moore's scheme, regardless of who is throwing him the ball and in a group of smaller wideouts alongside Chris Olave and veteran Brandin Cooks, whom Shaheed has been following around trying to soak in knowledge from.
“We know that DBs are always going to be on their toes trying to cover us and add in [Brandin] Cooks and all the young guys we’ve got," Shaheed said. "We have a young, talented group and I’m super excited for this season and I think we’re gonna see a lot of growth.”