Fansided

5 players the Saints need to play well to beat Packers

By Aryanna Prasad

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 14: Jameis Winston #2 of the New Orleans Saints looks on during the second half of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 14: Jameis Winston #2 of the New Orleans Saints looks on during the second half of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 14: Marquez Callaway #1 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 14: Marquez Callaway #1 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

. Wide Receiver. New Orleans Saints. Marquez Callaway. 4. player. 15

While Smith appears to be the WR1, he’s not the Saints wideout buzzing in the fantasy football world: it’s Marquez Callaway.

FantasyPros named Callaway their No. 4 sleeper wide receiver pick, with FanSided calling him “the next Michael Thomas.” The 2020 undrafted pick stepped up last season amid Thomas injury issues, boasting an incredible 21 catches on 27 targets for 213 yards, developing into what Saints fans consider “a ‘go-to’ pass catcher in Sean Payton’s offense.”

It’s because Callaway and Winston have already demonstrated a deep connection during the preseason, with Callaway catching three receptions for a whopping 61 yards. Against the Jaguars, he nabbed five catches for 104 yards and a touchdown.

Like Smith, Callaway creates a deep threat downfield, but he’s a wide receiver that fantasy managers are itching to start — that’s a good indicator of how well the receiver is expected to perform. With money on the line, Callaway appears to be the guy who can get it done in this new Saints offense. Smith is important, but has proven less reliable: Callaway’s catch rate last season of 77.8 percent and his average 10.1 yards per reception means he just might be the future of this offense.

Both Smith and Callaway will be critical in this opening game against the Packers, but would be no surprise if Callaway emerges with the better performance of the two.

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