New Orleans Saints: Nick Toon ready for a breakout season

The New Orleans Saints have had a very busy offseason as they attempt to rebound from a poor 2014 season.

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Two of the Saints’ biggest moves were trading starting tight end Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks, and wide receiver Kenny Stills to the Miami Dolphins.

Last season, Graham was battling a shoulder injury, which clearly affected him on the field. In 2014, Graham totaled 85 receptions, 889 receiving yards, and 10 receiving touchdowns. The receiving yards was the lowest amount for Graham since his rookie season, and his yards per reception was the lowest of his career at 10.5 yards per reception.

Graham was great for the Saints in his five years in New Orleans, but the Saints are going in a different direction and got good value back for Graham.

For the Saints last season, their leading receiver was Stills, who was sent to the Dolphins for a third-round pick and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe. Stills has emerged as a very talented young receiver, as in two seasons with the Saints, he has totaled 1,572 receiving yards, 95 receptions, and eight receiving touchdowns.

While Stills was the Saints’ best statistical receiver last season, they have two other very talented receivers in Marques Colston and Brandin Cooks.

Replacing Stills and Graham’s production isn’t likely to happen, as the Saints will be using running backs Mark Ingram and C.J. Spiller more. Even with the change in offensive philosophy, the Saints well still need a good third receiver, and the front-runner for that job should be Nick Toon.

Nov 30, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Nick Toon (88) scores an eleven yard touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Saints won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

In the 2012 NFL Draft, the Saints selected Toon from Wisconsin in the fourth-round. Nick Toon is the son of three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Al Toon. Nick hasn’t has as much success as his father yet, but 2015 could be the season that he breaks out.

Toon developed into a very good wide receiver in his final year in college. In his senior season, Toon totaled 64 receptions, 926 receiving yards, and 10 receiving touchdowns.

In his first two seasons with the Saints, Toon only played in eight games, totaled four receptions and 68 yards.

Last season, Toon got a bit more of a chance to play. In eight games in 2014, Toon totaled 17 receptions, 215 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown.

A lot of the buzz in Saints camp is about rookie wide receivers Brandon Coleman and Seantavius Jones. According to ESPN.com’s Mike Triplett, Toon should still be the favorite to be the team’s No.3 receiver.

Toon offers the Saints a big, physical wide receiver, which can help them as a run-blocker. The Saints have been clear that they want it have an improved running game in 2015. One of the only knocks that can be made about Graham was that he was a poor run blocker. If Toon wants to stay on the field, using his 6’4” frame to block opposing cornerbacks will be a good start.

There is still a lot of offseason to go, but Toon looks to be poised to have a much larger role on the Saints in 2015, and that should result in a career-year.

Next: How will C.J. Spiller do in 2015?

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