5 Michael Thomas replacements to help Saints avoid losing start to 2021

3. Golden Tate, Free Agent

After a poor 2020 season (35 catches for 388 yards and two touchdowns), and after he went to social media to lament a lack of targets, the New York Giants made an easy decision to release Tate in early March. He surfaced in late-June, naming three teams he was looking at signing with (Rams, Titans, Colts), but nothing has come to fruition yet.

He’s no longer in his prime, approaching 33 years old (Aug. 1), but Tate is a savvy route runner and he does not shy away from contact. The struggles of the Giants’ offense over the last couple years did no one any favors, so a lack of production isn’t entirely Tate’s fault.

Tate won’t replace Thomas all by himself, as no one who is available could anyway. But as an experienced stopgap who can be helpful after Thomas is back, there’s appeal here for the Saints.

2. Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos

Patrick was Denver’s most reliable pass catcher in 2020, with 51 receptions for 742 yards and six touchdowns over 15 games played. The return to health of Courtland Sutton and all but certain improved efficiency from Jerry Jeudy threatens to make him a third (or fourth, counting tight end Noah Fant) wheel in a passing game in line to be piloted by either Drew Lock or Teddy Bridgewater right now.

Playing on a second-round tender worth a little less than $3.4 million this year and headed for free agency next March, Patrick is an ideal trade target for the perpetually cap-constrained Saints. If the Broncos are confident in the rest of the wide receiver depth after Sutton and Jeudy (KJ Hamler, etc.), they could be open to moving Patrick for the right offer.