With Drew Brees officially retired, the New Orleans Saints find themselves entering a new era. It'll be interesting to see how Sean Payton and the coaching staff handle the team without their coveted franchise quarterback. Luckily for them, they have a legitimate quarterback battle going on that could spout off a breakout candidate.
After opting to not acquire a new receiver this offseason and letting Emmanuel Sanders walk, someone in the receiving group should be in for an expanded role. Michael Thomas aims to get back to his regular form, but a second receiver should emerge as a number two target for the Saints.
With Jared Cook out of the picture, New Orleans is now looking for a young stud to take the reigns. Payton is known for lighting up the field with an electrifying passing game and getting his tight ends involved frequently. We could be seeing a newcomer in the top tight end mix in the NFL. With that said, here are three potential breakout players for the Saints in the 2021 NFL season.
Jameis Winston/Taysom Hill
As of this writing, it's a 50/50 coin flip on who wins the starting quarterback position in New Orleans. There are some reports claiming it's Jameis Winston's job to lose, however, Taysom Hill is training specifically at quarterback this offseason. Hill was also the guy Payton went to when Brees fell to injury for a few weeks where we caught a possible glimpse into the 2021 season.
Whoever wins the starting job is potentially due for a big year. Winston has a history of being a gunslinger, although, he does have a turnover problem. Meanwhile, Hill is the ultimate dual threat that gives the Saints a unique offense. The question with Hill though, is can he sustain the quarterback position for an entire year? Only time will tell who the starter is, but regardless, they each have a chance to be big-time contributors in 2021.
Tre'Quan Smith
Michael Thomas will be the top receiving target in New Orleans. There is no doubt about that. However, Tre'Quan Smith finds himself in a favorable position to earn a starting role in the Saints offense. Playing under Payton's pass-happy offense, Smith could be in for a big leap in production next season.
Last year, Smith performed well with the opportunities he was given. He was a reliable WR3 last season and when his number was called, he made sure to come down with the ball in his hands. Look for Smith to possibly make a huge leap in production for the Saints, as he's in a prime position to be a major contributor.
Adam Trautman
With Jared Cook now playing for the Los Angeles Chargers, Adam Trautman suddenly finds himself as the starting tight end in New Orleans. The Saints have a history of targeting that position in the passing game dating back to Jimmy Graham's prime. Trautman will have an opportunity to be the next top tight end for the Saints next season.
He's a tremendous athlete that can be a solid mismatch on the field. His 6-5, 255-pound frame makes him tough to stop down the field. He proved to be an excellent pass-catcher during his days in college and the Saints hope he can continue that trait next year. Look for Trautman to be the second or third passing option in the offense in 2021.
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