Canal Street Chronicles
New Orleans appears to be leaning on speed and versatility rather than pursuing a traditional X-receiver.
The New Orleans Saints are one of two NFL teams without a wide receiver taller than 6-foot-2 on the roster—along with the Minnesota Vikings—though Kellen Moore recently expressed confidence in the supporting cast already in the building during a post-practice press conference.
#16 Bub Means - 6’2”
#24 Donovan Peoples-Jones - 6’2”
#11 Cedrick Wilson Jr. - 6’2”
#81 Kevin Austin Jr. - 6’2”
#17 Dante Pettis - 6’1”
#12 Chris Olave - 6’0”
#22 Rashid Shaheed - 6’0”
#84 Moochie Dixon - 6’0”
#15 Mason Tipton - 5’11”
#10 Brandin Cooks - 5’10”
#89 Chris Tyree - 5’10”
However, while the Saints appear to have no plans to add a traditional X-receiver despite veterans like Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper and Gabe Davis still being available, Moore pointed to a few guys already in the building—Cedrick Wilson Jr. (who had his best years in Moore’s offense with the Dallas Cowboys), second-year wideout Bub Means and a hungry Donovan Peoples-Jones—as potential big-bodied, over-the-middle receiving threats who carry some size and could develop into that role for the New Orleans offense.
One player I expect to take a major leap is fourth-year WR Chris Olave, who recently had his fifth-year option exercised. He’s now set to earn $15.493 million for the 2026 season.
The 24-year-old’s name has continued to surface in trade rumors throughout the offseason, though at this point it looks to be mostly outside noise without any credible evidence. And realistically, trading your presumed No. 1 wide receiver—who opened his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons—doesn’t seem wise while trying to develop a young quarterback, regardless of who the Saints choose to start in 2025.
Olave is in elite company as one of just five wide receivers to see 40 or more targets and average at least 2.05 yards per route run in each of the last three seasons. The only others to accomplish that feat? All-Pros Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings), A.J. Brown (Philadelphia Eagles), Amon-Ra St. Brown (Detroit Lions) and CeeDee Lamb (Dallas Cowboys).
Kellen Moore recently praised Olave for his above-average football IQ:
What do you think? Do the Saints need to add another body to the WR room, or are you comfortable with the current group?
