Willie Snead

2018

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2017

It wasn't only Michael Thomas' breakout that made the Saints deem Brandin Cooks expendable. Snead, a former undrafted free agent, also played his way into Drew Brees' circle of trust with his second consecutive strong season. At 5-11, 195 and with below average speed (4.56 40), Snead isn't a downfield playmaker in the mold of Cooks, and he's not a red-zone target like Thomas, either. Snead excels by getting open in the short and intermediate areas of the field and grabbing anything in his vicinity. That Snead was able to average 8.6 YPT (16th among the league's 41 100-target WR) in that role shows how effective he was -- as well as what quarterback he has throwing him the ball. As such, Snead is a stronger pick in PPR, but his volume should increase to the point where he'll be useful in standard formats too, as Cooks' departure leaves 117 Brees targets up for grabs. The Saints brought in home run threat Ted Ginn this offseason, but he's more of a low-volume, high-impact player whose presence should open things up for Thomas and Snead. The only other new pass catcher of note is backup tailback Alvin Kamara, but he's more likely to cut into Mark Ingram's pass-catching work than Snead's. At press time, Snead had yet to sign his exclusive rights tender, but he showed up for the Saints' offseason program hoping a long-term deal could be worked out.

2016

Cut by the Panthers and Browns in 2014, Snead, an undrafted free agent, was one of the more unlikely breakouts last year. Snead became Drew Brees' No. 2 target and excelled in the role, averaging 14.3 YPC and 9.7 YPT (5th). While he had only two catches of 40-plus yards, Snead hauled in 14 of 20 or more. At 5-11, 195, Snead isn't much of a red-zone target (only nine looks), and his 4.56 40 speed precludes many downfield plays. Consequently, he's not going to score often. The Saints added Michael Thomas and Coby Fleener this offseason, and top target Brandin Cooks isn't going anywhere, so Snead's ceiling is modest, especially in non-PPR leagues.

2015

Snead will compete for playing time on a crowded Saints' receiver depth chart. The second-year pro out of Ball State was cut twice in 2014 - once by the Browns during training camp and again in the fall from the Panthers' practice squad - but is likely to make the Saints' final roster this season. Snead isn't all that big or all that fast, but he catches everything thrown his way. With Kenny Stills in Miami, there's an opening for a player to emerge as the third wide receiver behind Marques Colston and Brandin Cooks, but Snead's path to playing time is unclear, with Brandon Coleman, Joseph Morgan, Josh Morgan, and Snead all battling for depth chart positioning and snaps.

2014

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