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Tre’Quan Smith hasn’t enjoyed a great reputation with New Orleans Saints fans. Expectations were high on him as a third-round draft pick back in 2018, and there were flashes of sky-high potential from him — his 10-catch, 157-yard performance as a rookie against the Philadelphia Eagles comes to mind.
But Smith hasn’t been a frequent target in the Saints passing game, averaging just 1.8 receptions per game through his first two seasons. But Saints coach Sean Payton wants it known that Smith still has a vital role to play in the offense, even if he isn’t putting up gaudy receiving numbers like Michael Thomas or Emmanuel Sanders.
“Some of the things he’s asked to do occasionally is more physical in nature,” Payton said in his Friday media conference call. “I think he’s come in (to training camp) in great shape. He’s strong, he’s an important part of what we’re doing offensively. And he’s one of those players that’ll make a catch in traffic that a lot of guys may not necessarily have the same appetite for.”
The Saints have always kept a few blocking specialists around in the receivers’ room; last season, they tried out options like Krishawn Hogan and Lil’Jordan Humphrey when Smith missed five games with an injury. Before Smith even arrived on the scene, the 6-foot-6 Brandon Coleman made opportunities for his teammates with his blocking, logging 651 snaps at receiver in 2017 until a career-ending neck injury took him out of football.
Maybe 2020 will be the year when Smith puts it all together, using the physicality he’s developed to help the team while taking advantage of easier matchups with Thomas and Sanders attracting coverage. If he’s ever going to truly break out, doing so with Drew Brees’ Super Bowl window threatening to close would be the perfect time.
Payton on Tre'Quan Smith#SaintsCamp pic.twitter.com/kM7DqqunZM
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 21, 2020
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