BREAKING NEWS: The Main Reason The Saints Must Keep Building Young Offensive Core That Can Carry Them Into The Future
The New Orleans Saints possess several promising young offensive talents, indicating a need to further nurture their developing offensive core. Despite a less than stellar 2023 season where they fell short of expectations with a 9-8 record and missed the playoffs, there were bright spots. Of particular note are Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, who showcased their potential.
Chris Olave, a first-round pick in 2022, demonstrated his abilities as a rookie, tallying 72 receptions for 1042 yards and four touchdowns. In the following season, he improved upon these numbers with 87 catches for 1,123 yards and five touchdowns, solidifying his position as the team’s primary receiver.
Rashid Shaheed, although undrafted, made significant contributions as both a return specialist and receiver. His sophomore season saw notable growth from his rookie year, with 28 catches for 488 yards and two touchdowns increasing to 46 receptions for 719 yards and five touchdowns in 2023, earning him a Pro Bowl nod.
Despite the promising performances of Olave and Shaheed, the Saints still have work to do in fortifying their young offensive core. A recent ranking by Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report, evaluating the offensive building blocks of all NFL teams, placed the Saints at No. 22, categorizing them among teams with uncertain prospects for the future.
Saints young offensive core ranked 22nd in NFL
Here’s a rephrased version:
“Gagnon remarked on the foundational elements of New Orleans’ offense, highlighting the pivotal role played by the youthful receiving tandem of Chris Olave (23) and Rashid Shaheed (25), as opposed to the lackluster performance of 24-year-old offensive linemen Cesar Ruiz and Trevor Penning.
This assessment holds considerable weight. While Olave and Shaheed stand out as bright spots, the remainder of the offensive lineup consists of seasoned veterans or unimpressive younger players. Additionally, there are a couple of promising youngsters who displayed glimpses of potential and could evolve into reliable contributors.
Among these potential contributors are wide receiver A.T. Perry and running back Kendre Miller. Both rookies exhibited strong performances towards the end of the season. Perry concluded the year with 12 receptions totaling 246 yards and four touchdowns, while Miller logged 41 carries for 156 yards and a touchdown. Should both players sustain their momentum into the upcoming season, it would undoubtedly enhance the caliber of the young core.”