Marquez Callaway 2021 Outlook: A Phoenix From The Ashes
3 years agoMarquez Callaway finished his rookie season with only 21 receptions for 213 yards. However, he stepped up whenever his number was called. In his best game, he put up eight receptions for 85 yards on 10 targets. That could be a sign of things to come due to the injuries and lack of depth in the Saints' receiving corps. The undrafted rookie out of Tennessee entered training camp for his second season as one of six wide receivers behind bonafide WR1 Michael Thomas, and the WR2 role was firmly up for grabs. Well, case closed. Callaway displayed elite ball tracking skills and made several acrobatic touchdown catches this preseason, and has ended the competition for targets behind Thomas. Tre'Quan Smith was the popular selection to step up this season, but he is more of a speedy deep-threat than he is a high-volume chain mover. Additionally, training camp and the preseason have not been kind to the Saints with injuries to Thomas, Smith, and tight end Adam Trautman, so there is a golden opportunity in front of Callaway to be the WR1 for this team in the interim. He has excellent burst and elusiveness in the open field, and he should see plenty of targets until Thomas returns, which could be anywhere from four to six weeks as it stands now. He should start off as a solid WR3 early on and remain a viable flex play when Thomas returns. His ADP has jumped markedly to WR46 in the tenth round, but that seems like a price I am willing to pay for a potential breakout receiver.