The New Orleans Saints will be asking a lot of young players in their Week 1 showdown against the Lions, but at no position moreso than WR.
There are only four WRs on the current active roster. That group starts with experienced players in Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele. Behind them it's two players making their NFL debuts in Barion Brown and Bryce Lance, the Saints' 6th and 4th round picks in the most recent draft. The Saints had initially planned for a major contribution for No. 8 overall pick Jordyn Tyson, but he's sidelined for at least the first month of the season with a hamstring injury.
"There was going to be a role for both [Brown and Lance]," WWL Radio's Deuce McAllister said on SportsTalk, "but they’re being thrown into the fire a little bit earlier than probably anticipated"
Hear more from Deuce McAllister on SportsTalk in the player above.
That's happening in part out of necessity, but also due to performance. Brown was a revelation early in camp with his shiftiness and ability to create in space. His preseason touchdown came on a fly sweep, a play the Saints ran twice against the Cowboys. On the other hand, Lance's combination of size (6-3) and 4.3 speed makes for elite downfield potential. Both players are only scratching the surface of their potential, but did make the Saints feel confident in rolling toward the season with only four WRs on the roster. They could also look to elevate Kevin Austin Jr. from the practice squad.
The important thing, Deuce says, is to keep their roles specialized and keep building confidence in the system.
"I think you just have to be careful with how much you give them and what the true expectation is for them," Deuce continues. "There is no way that you can get me to believe that you’re just going to carry four. I think that you do add a veteran to that group. We’ll see, but I do think that you’ll add a veteran to that group and, you know, just kind of see how it all unfolds.”
So what will it take for the Saints to pull out a win as a heavy underdog in the season-opener?
Deuce: "I think that you’re going to have a shootout, in a sense. I think that both offenses will be able to score points. For me, there are really two things. For the Saints in the red zone, can you score touchdowns in the red zone, and the other one ... I think the Saints defensively will have to create three turnovers. I think the Saints defensively will have to create three turnovers, and not to say that you can’t win if those things don’t happen, but being able to go, you’re probably 60% maybe 70%, if you go three of four in the red zone, I like your chances, but I don’t think one turnover is going to be enough. I think the Saints have to come up with two, more than likely three turnovers to be successful against that team.”
Tyler Shough and Co. will lead the Saints into Ford Field for their showdown with the Lions on Sunday at noon. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.
