Saints current WR situation (1 Viewer)

[Ghost Rider]

It looks like Lance Moore will be out again this week, and possibly for several more weeks after that.

So what is the deal with their WRs, then? Despite Moore's lack on involvement even before getting hurt, Kenny Stills and Nick Toon weren't getting many targets; hell, Stills only had two targets last week even with Moore not playing. I get that Graham, Colston and the RBs usually get the lion's share of targets, but shouldn't there be opportunities for the other WRs to produce, too?

 

[msommer]

Theoretically yes. But it seems like Graham is the only consistent play here

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

It's always the same.

However it's possible that if BB takes awaye the Saints' favored outlets then we may see more WR action vs the Pats. - In 2009 I remember Devery Henderson having a big game vs the Pats.

FBG has an interesting stat which surprised me, the Saints (from memory) have one of the highest percentage of targets to TE's and also to TB's but something like one of the bottom three % of targets to WRs.

If I had to pick a free agent Saints WR to do anything it would be Stills. The Saints were looking at Markus Wheaton in the draft also, that doesn't help but basically it's the deep speed guy they like outside of Colston and Moore and they collect them.

 

[Breesisdaman]

Brees throws to the open man. Who would have thought that a full back would have been in the game plan last week. Sproles has taken Moore's looks really even before Moore got hurt Sproles was seeing more targets than Moore. But basically its a crap shoot and good luck guessing if Toon, Stills or Meachum have a big game. Can they get separation? can they catch the ball and hold on to it? Im talking to you Nick Toon!

 

[duaneok66]

Saints WR Snap Percentages

Week 5

Colston 62%

Stills 59%

Meachem 39%

Toon 36%

 

[HurryUpSundays]

Bump Jimmy

 

[Hu-Tang Clan]

Saints WR Snap Percentages

Week 5

Colston 62%

Stills 59%

Meachem 39%

Stills 36%

So 95% for Stills???

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Saints WR Snap Percentages

Week 5

Colston 62%

Stills 59%

Meachem 39%

Stills 36%

It's really something how Meachem has just walked back into this offense.

They've been going to him deep frequently.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Saints WR Snap Percentages

Week 5

Colston 62%

Stills 59%

Meachem 39%

Stills 36%a

It's really something how Meachem has just walked back into this offense.

They've been going to him deep frequently.

It's really not surprising at all given he's spent years in the offense. (And Stills is still a rookie. And Toon was on IR all last year) Had they not signed him, it would have been Devery Henderson.

W/o the Saints, he'd be out of the league. [JMO It's more of a mental thing with him to pick up an offense than it is physical, even if he's not what he was 4-5 years ago physically. Part of the reason I thought he'd be an epic bust with SD. It took him years to even pick up the Saints offense]

 

[jeeb]

As a Graham and Colston owner, the worst thing in the world happened: the Saints found a defense.

Outside of Brees. Graham, Sproles and Colston, there is no Saint worth owning.

 

[SportsGuru311]

Yeah I have been dumping Moore on my teams. Just a wasted roster spot with him on it.

 

[Slapdash]

Colston hasn't been doing as well as expected this year either.

 

[duaneok66]

Fixed the error - Toon is the one with 36%

 

[SameSongNDance]

Colston hasn't been doing as well as expected this year either.

He's on pace for his yearly 1,000 yards and is doing exactly what was expected (or at least I expected). Colston annually gets off to slow starts but is virtually a lock for 80/1000/6-8.

Graham has been targeted on 26% of Brees's attempts thus far which is only 2-3% less than Colston, Moore and Stills combined. Last year Graham accounted for 20% of Brees's attempts, so either it normalizes or that 6% bump hurts whoever was going to be fourth in line for targets this year.

 

[Slapdash]

Colston hasn't been doing as well as expected this year either.

He's on pace for his yearly 1,000 yards and is doing exactly what was expected (or at least I expected). Colston annually gets off to slow starts but is virtually a lock for 80/1000/6-8.

Just saying, he is on pace for his lowest point total for a full season. I hope it picks up but am getting a little concerned.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Colston will be fine, I think. At some point, Graham's numbers will fall back to being just great (unless you really think he is gonna get 1,900 yards and 20 TDs), and Colston is the receiver most likely to benefit from the added coverage that will be thrown Graham's way.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Saints WR Snap Percentages

Week 5

Colston 62%

Stills 59%

Meachem 39%

Stills 36%a

It's really something how Meachem has just walked back into this offense.

They've been going to him deep frequently.

It's really not surprising at all given he's spent years in the offense. (And Stills is still a rookie. And Toon was on IR all last year) Had they not signed him, it would have been Devery Henderson.

W/o the Saints, he'd be out of the league. [JMO It's more of a mental thing with him to pick up an offense than it is physical, even if he's not what he was 4-5 years ago physically. Part of the reason I thought he'd be an epic bust with SD. It took him years to even pick up the Saints offense]

I just wanted to say this a great point. The mental thing has to be it because he seems to be running deep like he used to just fine, speed wise he doesn't seem any different, but supposedly he had "lost a step" somehow in SD. Doesn't look like it. He's running just a few routes for the Saints right now too but they are very useful and effective. The guy can block too.

 

[lod01]

Saints WR Snap Percentages

Week 5

Colston 62%

Stills 59%

Meachem 39%

Stills 36%

It's really something how Meachem has just walked back into this offense.

They've been going to him deep frequently.

That's becasue it's all he's capable of doing. He's horrible but good for a deep pass or 2 a week.

 

[Diamond]

Saints WR Snap Percentages

Week 5

Colston 62%

Stills 59%

Meachem 39%

Stills 36%

It's really something how Meachem has just walked back into this offense.

They've been going to him deep frequently.

Meachem Targets:

Week 1: Inactive

Week 2: 1

Week 3: 2

Week 4: 1

Week 5: 1

 

[SameSongNDance]

Stills saw 63% of the snaps two weeks ago with Graham gimpy and had his most productive fantasy game of the season. Since Graham looks to be shaping up as a no go this week he's worth taking a flier on in deeper leagues.

 

[Breesisdaman]

If Graham is a no go then bump Sproles. Pains me to say that since I am facing him this week. When is Lance Moore returning anyhow?

 

[Chaka]

Colston hasn't been doing as well as expected this year either.

He's on pace for his yearly 1,000 yards and is doing exactly what was expected (or at least I expected). Colston annually gets off to slow starts but is virtually a lock for 80/1000/6-8.

Graham has been targeted on 26% of Brees's attempts thus far which is only 2-3% less than Colston, Moore and Stills combined. Last year Graham accounted for 20% of Brees's attempts, so either it normalizes or that 6% bump hurts whoever was going to be fourth in line for targets this year.

I did some research on it and I do not really see a trend of Colston having slow starts. He really seems to be having just a down year across the board. It is up for debate if it is because of all the focus on Jimmy Graham or because Colston has declined. I am gambling that it is the former.

My data is in this post in the Colston thread.

 

[Gvindy]

Lance Moore practiced today, Moore or Stills for 1 wk flier?

 

[Breesisdaman]

Stills is a deep threat but he is 100% healthy. I am not sure about Lance Moore. If both were 100% I would go Moore any day of the week over Stills without Graham in the lineup because he will see a lot of targets if he is in the game and healthy.

 

[donkshow]

STILLS WOOOO

 

[spodog]

As a Graham and Colston owner, the worst thing in the world happened: the Saints found a defense.

Outside of Brees. Graham, Sproles and Colston, there is no Saint worth owning.

Seems like a hasty comment.

Garret Hartley has posted Top 6 K numbers.

Pierre Thomas has posted stats that put him the RB2 range in almost all league formats.

Saints DEF has held opposing offenses to less than 20 points in all but 1 game this year.

 

[VikingFrog]

Just a fun thought.

What if the Saints made a move for Josh Gordon before the trade deadline.

Not that they need him to win, but he'd turn an already dangerous offense into an unstoppable machine. (especially if Graham is okay)

Don't think it would ever happen, but seems like a more fun landing place for Gordon than some of the other suggestions.

 

[Chaka]

Just a fun thought.

What if the Saints made a move for Josh Gordon before the trade deadline.

Not that they need him to win, but he'd turn an already dangerous offense into an unstoppable machine. (especially if Graham is okay)

Don't think it would ever happen, but seems like a more fun landning place for Gordon than some of the other suggestions.

Dear Jesus,

Please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen, please let this happen.

Sincerely,

Every Josh Gordon owner in the Universe

 

[cstu]

Colston hasn't been doing as well as expected this year either.

He's on pace for his yearly 1,000 yards and is doing exactly what was expected (or at least I expected). Colston annually gets off to slow starts but is virtually a lock for 80/1000/6-8.

Graham has been targeted on 26% of Brees's attempts thus far which is only 2-3% less than Colston, Moore and Stills combined. Last year Graham accounted for 20% of Brees's attempts, so either it normalizes or that 6% bump hurts whoever was going to be fourth in line for targets this year.

He's on pace for 65/864/2.

That would be the worst year of his career, including 2008 when he missed 5 games.

 

[saintfool]

i think this upcoming game is a real test - not in a fantasy sense - for the WR corps with Graham out. it will give a sense of what the passing game really is with graham taken out of the game. if brees and the guys can't step up and produce then i wouldn't look for a deep run in the playoffs.

 

[Ghost Rider]

i think this upcoming game is a real test - not in a fantasy sense - for the WR corps with Graham out. it will give a sense of what the passing game really is with graham taken out of the game. if brees and the guys can't step up and produce then i wouldn't look for a deep run in the playoffs.

Good point. I often say that I don't think the Saints don't throw to their WRs enough, as they'd rather check down to a wide open RB for a short gain rather than taking a shot down field, but look at the TD Stills caught against New England. That was good coverage, but he went up and made a play. With all of the good stuff we heard about Stills and Toon all summer, might as well let those guys play and give them chances to make plays.

 

[saintfool]

i think this upcoming game is a real test - not in a fantasy sense - for the WR corps with Graham out. it will give a sense of what the passing game really is with graham taken out of the game. if brees and the guys can't step up and produce then i wouldn't look for a deep run in the playoffs.

Good point. I often say that I don't think the Saints don't throw to their WRs enough, as they'd rather check down to a wide open RB for a short gain rather than taking a shot down field, but look at the TD Stills caught against New England. That was good coverage, but he went up and made a play. With all of the good stuff we heard about Stills and Toon all summer, might as well let those guys play and give them chances to make plays.

i'd settle for them getting some playing time at this point. we haven't seen the passing game with the WRs click. i don't know what our offense is right now outside of Brees. we need more 2009 - where Brees would punish defenses play after play with the match ups - instead of last year - Brees doing too much, forcing plays - to make a good run.

 

[Dondante]

Lance Moore practiced today, Moore or Stills for 1 wk flier?

I've read a couple of articles out of NOLA that spin it as though Brees is excited to have Moore back and that Moore is excited to play a defense that features man-to-man.

 

[GroveDiesel]

From the little I've watched of the Saints, Colston is getting zero separation. I'm concerned that he is either still not 100% or that he has just lost a step.

It will be interesting to see who Buffalo lines up against him Sunday. If it's McKelvin, I think Colston may continue to struggle. Gilmore will most likely be wearing the club on his hand, so if he is matched up against Colston a lot I could see Colston's physicality winning a lot since Gilmore can't bump and grab much at all.

All in all, my guess is that New Orleans ratchets up the number of screens to Sproles and Thomas. The Bills have struggled the last two games badly against the halfback screen, in large part because Gilmore can't really tackle right now. So I expect Brees to go to Sproles and Thomas a LOT. And if those guys don't have big games, I could honestly see this being a lot closer than most people think.

 

[Nucker101]

I'm liking Lance Moore as a nice pickup this week in PPR leagues, Colston doesn't look right lately and Graham is banged up. Stills looks impressive to me as well(big, fast and strong), but he seems to be views/used as the deep threat for now although that could change if Colston does in fact fade away.

 

[agent orange]

Tough call for me as both appear to be good options. Brees has the comfort level with Moore and looks for him often in the red zone, but Stills could very well be the big playmaker in this game sans Graham. I wish this was more clearcut.

 

[need2know]

Need a wr for one week and thinking of taking a shot with moore. Who knows this could be his annual multi td game. .. without graham, at home, vs a weak opp. The only thing that worries me is the injury but hes practiced wed and thurs. Bet hes listed as probable

 

[Chaka]

Interesting that so many people are more willing to roll with Moore or Stills over Colston. I get the reasoning but I am not sure if it is the smartest move.

If Graham is out it seems to me that Colston is going to get the first opportunity to produce, particularly as the big target Brees likes around the goal line.

 

[Black]

Interesting that so many people are more willing to roll with Moore or Stills over Colston. I get the reasoning but I am not sure if it is the smartest move.

If Graham is out it seems to me that Colston is going to get the first opportunity to produce, particularly as the big target Brees likes around the goal line.

I think it's just that Stills/Moore might be on Waiver Wires in 10-team leagues...

 

[need2know]

Interesting that so many people are more willing to roll with Moore or Stills over Colston. I get the reasoning but I am not sure if it is the smartest move.

If Graham is out it seems to me that Colston is going to get the first opportunity to produce, particularly as the big target Brees likes around the goal line.

I think it's just that Stills/Moore might be on Waiver Wires in 10-team leagues...

Both are available in my start3 wr 12 team

 

[Gustavo Fring]

I think if you are looking for a flier this week on WW, it has to be Stills in my opinion. Who knows how Lance moore will do coming off injury, and Sproles will be heavily involved if Graham is out.

I think Stills has the best chance of beating the BUF DBs deep, and possibly getting a long TD. We all know Brees will be slinging the rock, come Sunday. He has also been getting some more looks in the possesion game as well as the weeks have gone on.

 

[SameSongNDance]

Yeah, Stills vs. Moore is a tough one for sure. If it's any consolation, Moore is playing at home (on turf) where he's essentially done most of his damage through-out his career.

I wrote this last year, since I'm too lazy to check the split stats right now..

To put it quite simply more loves playing at home in the dome on turf. Specifically, he has 26 TDs in 47 games on turf, as opposed to 5 TDs in 24 games on grass surfaces. Moore, also more recently, has scored 4 TDs in his last 5 home games.

Those numbers have changed since I wrote it but likely not too drastically. Just something to keep in mind.

Colston hasn't been doing as well as expected this year either.

He's on pace for his yearly 1,000 yards and is doing exactly what was expected (or at least I expected). Colston annually gets off to slow starts but is virtually a lock for 80/1000/6-8.

Graham has been targeted on 26% of Brees's attempts thus far which is only 2-3% less than Colston, Moore and Stills combined. Last year Graham accounted for 20% of Brees's attempts, so either it normalizes or that 6% bump hurts whoever was going to be fourth in line for targets this year.

I did some research on it and I do not really see a trend of Colston having slow starts. He really seems to be having just a down year across the board. It is up for debate if it is because of all the focus on Jimmy Graham or because Colston has declined. I am gambling that it is the former.

My data is in this post in the Colston thread.

I need to check back but I believe I was mostly referring to the month of September when pegging Colston a slow starter. I think the stats would be a bit more polarized if you broke it up into quarters but your point still stands. I have to admit, the former is looking more likely by the week.

 

[need2know]

In years past, if any part of the saints rb/te group was hurt, moore seemed to always be the wr to benefit. Stills seems to have taken the devery henderson role. If stills doesn't catch a long bomb, he won't give you anything

 

[LawFitz]

In years past, if any part of the saints rb/te group was hurt, moore seemed to always be the wr to benefit. Stills seems to have taken the devery henderson role. If stills doesn't catch a long bomb, he won't give you anything

I heard :ding ding ding: when I read this. Unexpected happens with unknowns like Stills, but this just feels like the most likely outcome.

ETA: there is another unknown at play too that should be considered: Drew Brees to Ben Watson. That combo could steal the show from Moore, at least.

 

[Ghost Rider]

It definitely looks like Stills is gonna become a regular contributor in this offense.

But what is the deal with Colston? His bad weeks are becoming worse and more frequent. I remember reading all preseason that Nick Toon is the guy who would his replacement if Colston got hurt, but if Colston has lost it, as opposed to just being in a slump or being ignored in the offense, what are the chances Toon would start taking some of his plays and targets this year?

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

In years past, if any part of the saints rb/te group was hurt, moore seemed to always be the wr to benefit. Stills seems to have taken the devery henderson role. If stills doesn't catch a long bomb, he won't give you anything

Stills is better than Henderson, and in my opinion his role is bigger.

A better team would have been giving the Saints major trouble yesterday and Jimmy's absence was very noticeable. I say all this and Brees still put up 5 TDs, yes.

Usually this time of year Payton pulls out some wrinkle he's been planning since preseason. They need a chain mover, I don't know if that will be Stills, Toon, Robinson, Watson, Hill, but something's gotta give, they just can't reliably keep throwing over the top for 40+ yard TDs whenever they're in trouble. The hi-low routine with Graham & Sproles only works if Graham is in there.

ETA: I mentioned this in the Stills thread, but Colston is just off, he's not jumping like he should or gaining separation. This is a major problem for this offense but they are very big on loyalty, chemistry and trust and they just don't abandon players because of down weeks or missed plays.

 

[cstu]

It definitely looks like Stills is gonna become a regular contributor in this offense.

But what is the deal with Colston? His bad weeks are becoming worse and more frequent. I remember reading all preseason that Nick Toon is the guy who would his replacement if Colston got hurt, but if Colston has lost it, as opposed to just being in a slump or being ignored in the offense, what are the chances Toon would start taking some of his plays and targets this year?

The last 3 games are easily the worst of his entire career. He might bounce back but it's not encouraging.

 

[need2know]

In years past, if any part of the saints rb/te group was hurt, moore seemed to always be the wr to benefit. Stills seems to have taken the devery henderson role. If stills doesn't catch a long bomb, he won't give you anything

Stills is better than Henderson, and in my opinion his role is bigger.

A better team would have been giving the Saints major trouble yesterday and Jimmy's absence was very noticeable. I say all this and Brees still put up 5 TDs, yes.

Usually this time of year Payton pulls out some wrinkle he's been planning since preseason. They need a chain mover, I don't know if that will be Stills, Toon, Robinson, Watson, Hill, but something's gotta give, they just can't reliably keep throwing over the top for 40+ yard TDs whenever they're in trouble. The hi-low routine with Graham & Sproles only works if Graham is in there.

ETA: I mentioned this in the Stills thread, but Colston is just off, he's not jumping like he should or gaining separation. This is a major problem for this offense but they are very big on loyalty, chemistry and trust and they just don't abandon players because of down weeks or missed plays.

They should split sproles out at wr more instead of just throwing to him out of the backfield. Thomas looked good yesterday but they refuse to commit to the run.

 

[Chaka]

It definitely looks like Stills is gonna become a regular contributor in this offense.

But what is the deal with Colston? His bad weeks are becoming worse and more frequent. I remember reading all preseason that Nick Toon is the guy who would his replacement if Colston got hurt, but if Colston has lost it, as opposed to just being in a slump or being ignored in the offense, what are the chances Toon would start taking some of his plays and targets this year?

The last 3 games are easily the worst of his entire career. He might bounce back but it's not encouraging.

Agreed.

 

[Fireman Ed]

Colston hasn't been doing as well as expected this year either.

He's on pace for his yearly 1,000 yards and is doing exactly what was expected (or at least I expected). Colston annually gets off to slow starts but is virtually a lock for 80/1000/6-8.

Graham has been targeted on 26% of Brees's attempts thus far which is only 2-3% less than Colston, Moore and Stills combined. Last year Graham accounted for 20% of Brees's attempts, so either it normalizes or that 6% bump hurts whoever was going to be fourth in line for targets this year.

He's on pace for 65/864/2.

That would be the worst year of his career, including 2008 when he missed 5 games.

my goodness Colston has been consistently horrible all year. Is this guy hurt or something?