Michael Thomas (ankle surgery) will likely miss at least the first month of the season. TreQuan Smith (leg) has been sidelined recently at training camp; so has Deonte Harris. Marquez Callaway has been operating as the team's No. 1 wideout by default, and it doesn't sound like it would be shocking if he opens the season there, too.

The Smith injury isn't serious, apparently; both he and Harris could be back at practice this week. But Smith has never done much with his opportunities as a starter in New Orleans, and Harris is tiny (5-6, 170) -- and might be suspended to start the season after a DUI arrest. Callaway, undrafted out of Tennessee a year ago, is looking very likely to open the season as a starter.

So far, so good: beat writers were talking him up in camp reports last week. Callaway has good size (6-2, 204) and did well with his opportunities a year ago, catching 21 of 27 passes thrown his way. The next undrafted wideout success story? It looks possible.

New Orleans, as it happens, has some experience with finding successful undrafted wideouts. This century, its players have accounted for 5 of the top 50 seasons by a wide receiver who wasn't drafted: three by Lance Moore, and two by Willie Snead. Those guys had the advantage of working with Drew Brees, which won't be the case for Callaway, but clearly the Saints aren't afraid to give those guys significant work. And in 2021, they might not have any choice.

TOP UNDRAFTED WIDE RECEIVERS, 2001-2020
YearPlayerTgtNoYdsTDPPRRk
2011Wes Welker, N.E.17312215699335.92
2001Rod Smith, Den.172113134311318.03
2018Adam Thielen, Min.15311313739309.37
2012Wes Welker, N.E.17411813546291.47
2011Victor Cruz, NYG1318215369289.93
2009Wes Welker, N.E.16212313484285.44
2007Wes Welker, N.E.14511211758280.910
2009Miles Austin, Dall.12481132011278.86
2004Drew Bennett, Ten.14480124711277.28
2015Doug Baldwin, Sea.10378106914268.911
2012Victor Cruz, NYG14386109210255.214
2020Adam Thielen, Min.108749251425410
2016Doug Baldwin, Sea.1259411287253.88
2008Wes Welker, N.E.14911111653250.110
2017Adam Thielen, Min.1429112764243.79
2006Mike Furrey, Det.1469810866242.613
2004Rod Smith, Den.1367911447238.715
2005Rod Smith, Den.1268511056232.213
2008Lance Moore, N.O.1217992810231.815
2010Miles Austin, Dall.1196910417230.413
2015Allen Hurns, Jac.10564103110227.119
2020Robby Anderson, Car.1369510963226.119
2011Nate Washington, Ten.1217410237224.815
2017Doug Baldwin, Sea.116759918223.313
2002Rod Smith, Den.1478910275222.618
2016Tyrell Williams, S.D.1196910597216.919
2010Wes Welker, N.E.123868487212.818
2013Wes Welker, Den.1117377810210.821
2020Cole Beasley, Buff.107829674207.727
2012Lance Moore, N.O.1046510416205.121
2017Robby Anderson, NYJ114639417200.018
2001James Thrash, Phil.108638338200.026
2015Kamar Aiken, Balt.127759445199.429
2001Bill Schroeder, G.B.93539189199.427
2016Adam Thielen, Min.92699675197.230
2013Victor Cruz, NYG122739984196.828
2012Miles Austin, Dall.119669436196.323
2003Rod Smith, Den.114748453195.920
2016Willie Snead, N.O.104728954192.032
2010Davone Bess, Mia.125798205190.723
2010Lance Moore, N.O.94667638190.324
2016Cole Beasley, Dall.98758335189.033
2018Adam Humphries, T.B.105768165188.724
2015Willie Snead, N.O.101699843185.432
2019Cole Beasley, Buff.106677786184.834
2016Cameron Meredith, Chi.97668884183.538
2010Danny Amendola, St.L.123856893180.030
2002James Thrash, Phil.107526356176.132
2017Jermaine Kearse, NYJ102658105176.028
2002Brian Finneran, Atl.102568386175.833

Things could change quickly for Callaway. Smith will probably be healthy, and maybe Thomas surprisingly returns to the field earlier than expected. New Orleans has capable receiving options at running back and tight end, they might have a plan for Ty Montgomery as a wideout, and then there's the whole issue of who exactly is going to quarterback this team.

But Callaway is intriguing. Decent chance he's the team's top receiver the first part of the season, if not longer.

--Andy Richardson