Jameis Winston is back under center for the New Orleans Saints, but a lot has changed around him. Pete Carmichael will be calling plays to his headset, for one. For another, the New Orleans Saints have added a number of new wide receivers to the mix through free agency, the 2022 NFL draft, and the scrum for undrafted rookie signings after the event. But which of them have the best hands? To find out, here are the targets, receptions, and drops for each Saints wideout from the 2021 season.
It’s important to note that drops are a really badly overrated stat, in the sense that they impact such a small fraction of plays. When a receiver is being thrown at 100-plus times in a single season, they tend to catch the ball much more frequently than they drop it. And a player’s drop rate can change dramatically from one year to the next – a great example is Chris Olave, who was only dinged with one drop in the 2020 season before he dropped five passes in 2021. A great receiver can be undercut by a subpar quarterback, too.
So don’t read too deeply into it. At the same time, the player only gets into that position by reliably catching the ball when it’s thrown their way so often in practice. Too many drops in low-stakes situations reduces their opportunities when the bright lights are on, and it can spell their end with the team altogether.
Let’s get to it. Here’s how it broke down for each of the wide receivers on the 90-man roster ahead of training camp, except for Michael Thomas and Kawaan Baker, who were not targeted in 2021. Thomas missed the year with an injury, while Baker was on the practice squad. The list is ordered by their respective drop rates: