New Orleans Saints: 3 best offseason additions in 2022

New Orleans Saints top offseason pickup no. 2: WR Jarvis Landry (Released by Cleveland Browns)

Back in 2019, Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas set a new NFL record for catches in a season. That year, he was targeted 185 times and hauled in 149 passes for 1,725 yards and nine scores. It was the third consecutive season that the former Ohio State standout reached the century mark in terms of receptions. He totaled 104 grabs in 2017 and an NFL-best 125 catches a year later.

But injuries have put a crimp in his career the past two seasons. Thomas played in only seven games in 2020, catching 40 passes for 438 yards and zero touchdowns. This past year, he never saw the field. But this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network believes Thomas will be ready for the team’s Week 1 clash with the Falcons (via John Sigler of Saints Wire).

Meanwhile, the team’s wide receiving corps was not only boosted by the drafting of Chris Olave in the first round but the free-agent addition of five-time Pro Bowler Jarvis Landry. In eight NFL seasons – four each with the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns – the former LSU standout has totaled 688 catches for 7,598 yards and 37 scores.

It’s worth noting that Landry’s best season in terms of touchdowns came in 2017 (9) with the Dolphins. Don’t be shocked if he sets a new career high in terms of visits to the end zone.