If you’re compiling a list of off-the-radar sleepers (guys who won’t even be drafted in 99 percent of leagues) I think you can put Joseph Morgan on it. He’s been a comedy of errors in recent years, but he could wind up being a nice part of New Orleans’ offense.
Morgan has had off-the-field “issues”, as they like to say. In 2013, he was suspended for suspicion of drunk driving. The Saints suspended him for two games last year (unknown reasons) and then cut him late in the year.
"I honestly didn't think I'd be back," Morgan said in an interview with Mike Triplett of ESPN.
But Morgan has done something to work his way back in Sean Payton’s good graces, and now things are set up for him to potentially make a nice impact.
The Saints are at their best when they have a speedy threat outside stretching defenses. The bulk of the time, Drew Brees is working the underneath areas, moving the sticks with short passes. But once in a while Brees will unless a deep ball. In the past, the Saints have had Devery Henderson, Kenny Stills and Robert Meachem in that role.
| NEW ORLEANS DEEP THREAT RECEIVERS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Player | No | Yards | Avg | TD |
| 2006 | Devery Henderson | 32 | 745 | 23.3 | 5 |
| 2007 | Devery Henderson | 20 | 409 | 20.5 | 3 |
| 2008 | Robert Meachem | 12 | 289 | 24.1 | 3 |
| 2008 | Devery Henderson | 32 | 793 | 24.8 | 3 |
| 2009 | Robert Meachem | 45 | 722 | 16.0 | 9 |
| 2009 | Devery Henderson | 51 | 804 | 15.8 | 2 |
| 2010 | Robert Meachem | 44 | 638 | 14.5 | 5 |
| 2010 | Devery Henderson | 34 | 464 | 13.6 | 1 |
| 2011 | Robert Meachem | 40 | 620 | 15.5 | 6 |
| 2011 | Devery Henderson | 32 | 503 | 15.7 | 2 |
| 2012 | Lance Moore | 65 | 1041 | 16.0 | 6 |
| 2013 | Kenny Stills | 32 | 641 | 20.0 | 5 |
| 2014 | none | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Looking at what New Orleans currently has at wide receiver, Morgan seems to be the best suited to fill this kind of a role. Brandin Cooks will be their go-to guy, but they used him mostly on quick, short throws last year. They want him catching a bunch of balls – not just running down the sidelines as a decoy on most plays. Marques Colston is a big, slow slot-type receiver now. They’ll also use Nick Toon, but he seems to be pretty similar to Colston.
So if they’re going to have one of these field-stretcher guy who catches about 35-40 passes and averages 18-plus yards per catch, Morgan looks like the fit.
Morgan hasn’t played much as a pro, but he’s shown some ability to be that kind of guy. In 2012, his 10 receptions went for 379 yards and 3 TDs – thus averaging 37.9 yards per catch. He missed all of 2013 with an injury. He played sparingly last year but averaged 23.0 yards on his 4 receptions. He had a 62-yard catch and a 67-yard run in a Monday night game against Baltimore.
Joseph Morgan. Think about it.
—Ian Allan
