Maybe the New Orleans Saints were too quick to give Jimmy Graham a polite “thanks, but no thanks” when he expressed interest in running it back this summer. The team lacks a big-bodied target in the red zone, and that flaw has stood out in their recent losses. He’s well past handling a starring role on offense, but Graham can help a team in a bit part.
Graham was bafflingly efficient last year, especially in the red zone. He was thrown to 7 times and caught 6 passes for 39 yards, either converting a first down or scoring a touchdown every time. All four of his touchdowns were scored inside the opposing 20-yard line.
The Saints could have used that kind of efficiency against the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday. Derek Carr attempted six throws inside Atlanta’s 20-yard line. Here’s how they turned out:
- 1st and 10 from the 20: Pass complete to Rashid Shaheed for 5 yards
- 2nd and 2 from the 17: Pass incomplete intended for Alvin Kamara
- 3rd and 2 from the 17: Pass complete to Chris Olave for 16 yards
- 3rd and 5 from the 15: Pass complete to Mason Tipton for 6 yards
- 4th and 7 from the 7: Pass incomplete intended for Rashid Shaheed
- 2nd and 5 from the 5: Pass incomplete intended for Rashid Shaheed
So that’s three completions and two first downs on six tries in scoring position. That’s clearly not good enough. Five of those passes were thrown to wide receivers; neither Juwan Johnson nor Foster Moreau are getting open and making plays in the passing game, which is really concerning when the Saints only have two viable wideouts working in a run-first offense. Moreau caught a touchdown pass in Week 1 but since then he and Johnson have combined for just three catches and 16 yards through three games.
What’s the answer? Getting Graham out of his kayak and back into town? Giving the rookie Dallin Holker some reps? Lining up Johnson out wide, where he played in college? Using Taysom Hill more often as a receiver than a runner? Any of those solutions would be more affordable and more realistic than a big-time trade for someone like Baltimore Ravens decoy Mark Andrews, but it’s still a problem the Saints need to solve. Let’s see what answer they come up with.
