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I'd be willing to bet that the New Orleans Saints hate most fantasy football writers. Why? Because after spending a summer touting Brandin Cooks and Nick Toon, then watching Toon get released and overtaken by Brandon Coleman prior to the season, then watching Cooks let us down for four straight games and Coleman not materialize into a viable fantasy asset, what are we left with? Willie Snead.
Of course.
Snead's come on in recent weeks overtaking the 6'6" Coleman's spot as the number-two Saints receiver, but I'm not sure anyone could've seen Snead's 6-catch, 141-yard explosion coming on Sunday against the Eagles. While those numbers might not be attainable again, Snead's targets went from 7 in Week 3 to 11 against the Eagles, which was higher than nominal number-one receiver Cooks' 10 targets. So Snead has at the very least carved himself out a durable role for the rest of the season.
And Snead, through Week 4, has actually been by far the most efficient Saints receiver this season, putting up a 0.80 Reception NEP per target and an 87.5% catch rate compared to Cooks' 0.46 Reception NEP per target and 80% catch rate. Those are the kinds of disparities that could turn a number-two receiver into a number-one fairly quick, and vice-versa.
Snead's target numbers and reliability when targeted give him a safe floor, but as he showed against the Eagles on Sunday, he also brings upside to the table. Get him on your team immediately, because he should be owned in all leagues.