Marques Colston Injury: 5 Free Agents the New Orleans Saints Should Look At

With the recent collarbone injury suffered by Marques Colston in the season-opener, the New Orleans Saints have a void at the wide receiver position that five NFL free agent wide receivers can fill.

Colston’s collarbone injury will keep him out of action for four weeks, and while the Saints have plenty of weapons at the wide receiver position, it can’t hurt to bring in a veteran free agent who can help contribute.

The Saints need to bring in a player that sort of simulates the physical, sure-handed attributes that Colston brings to the team week in and week out.

It is important for New Orleans to bring in a player that has been around the game and can learn the system quickly to be able to contribute right away.

These are the five players that the Saints should look at while trying to find a replacement for the injured Colston.

Torry Holt

Torry Holt may not have the size and physical presence that Colston has, but he’s a crafty veteran that has sure hands.  

Holt produced a lot of great memories for St. Louis Rams fans as he led the team in receiving for many years. Holt led the league in receiving yardage in 2000 and 2003, as well as leading the league in receptions in 2003.

Holt ranks tenth all-time in receiving yards as he has 13,382, as well as 74 receiving touchdowns in his career.  

Holt was a fantastic player for the Rams for so many years, and bringing him in would be a good choice by the Saints.

Obviously, he’s not the same player that he was six years ago, but I don’t see him having any problem coming in and contributing to the team.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh

If the Saints want a big receiver that can go up and catch the ball, T.J. Houshmandzadeh suits the bill. 

The former Pro Bowler began his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, and he finished with a franchise record 112 receptions for 1,143 yards and 12 touchdowns in his final year there.  

Houshmandzadeh went on to play with the Seahawks and then the Ravens, who shocked many people around the league when they didn’t re-sign him.  

Houshmandzadeh has to be upset about not getting a deal done with a team yet, and if given a chance by the Saints, I expect him to make the most out of it.

Donnie Avery

Unlike all the other players on this list, Donnie Avery isn’t a veteran, but he certainly possesses the skill to make big plays up and down the field.  

Avery was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the 2008 NFL draft and since then accounted for 100 receptions, 1,263 and eight receiving touchdowns.

On Sept. 3, the Rams released Avery, and he has yet to sign with anybody. Avery is a player who has the ability to make big plays and is definitely worth getting looked at by the Saints. 

Brian Finneran

The guy who helped create a lot of havoc and sleepless nights for Saints fans is now a free agent and would look nice in black and gold for a couple of games.

Brian Finneran played with the Atlanta Falcons from 2000-2010 and was one of Michael Vick’s favorite targets in Atlanta.  

"Mr. First Down" gathered 238 career receptions for  3,093 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Finneran is big, physical and is a sure-handed receiver. He’s got a lot of miles, but the Saints could use a sure-handed veteran as another option. 

Randy Moss

The Saints have already denied reports of interest in bringing in Randy Moss, but that doesn’t mean the Saints still can’t bring him in.  

Moss is one of the greatest wide receivers in the history of the NFL and quite possibly the greatest big-play wide receiver in history.

Moss’ biggest attribute was his big play ability, as defensive coordinators feared the deep ball every time Moss was on the field.  

In his career, Moss had an astounding 14,858 receiving yards to go along with 153 receiving touchdowns.

He didn’t contribute in Minnesota or in Tennessee a year ago, but there was talk before the season that he was in tremendous shape and ready to have another breakout season.  

With Colston going down, this is a perfect opportunity to add another deep threat for Drew Brees and the Saints offense.