New Orleans took down the reigning Super Bowl champions during their first preseason match, and rookie wide receiver A.T. Perry arguably had the biggest game of any Saints offensive player. During his professional debut, the Wake Forest product finished the night with six receptions for 70 yards and one touchdown. While the box score is obviously impressive, his play also impressed head coach Dennis Allen and quarterback Derek Carr.
A.T. Perry Already Impressing Saints Coaches, Teammates
Dennis Allen, Derek Carr Speak Out
A.T. Perry did not play with the Saints first-team offense, but he was on the field when the second-team unit took over midway through the first quarter. This shows that the sixth-round pick has already begun his ascent up the depth chart, and his impressive play helped secure a spot on the roster. Speaking to reporters after the game, head coach Dennis Allen gave a mostly positive review of the rookie’s performance.
“It was good to see. I thought he stepped up and caught the ball well. I don’t like him reaching for the goal line there at the end on his first touchdown, but it was good. He made a couple of contested catches and I thought he was able to run down the field, put his foot in the ground, and come back and create some separation. I thought he played well.”
A.T. Perry vs Kansas City Chiefs.
All targets. pic.twitter.com/VUnn8IKfkn
— Zareh Kantzabedian (@ZKantzFF) August 14, 2023
As seen in the footage above, Perry’s lone blemish came on his touchdown reception, as he nearly fumbled while extending for the goal line. While this could have been a crucial mistake, these type of errors get ironed out with experience. The point of the matter is that Perry found a way to stand out for the Saints, and his new quarterback appreciates the effort.
“I mean it’s the National Football League. It’s not easy out there,” Derek Carr said following the game. “For him to go out and play the way he did, I’m so proud of him…He was featured today. He was getting the ball a lot so it was good.”
Obviously, it’s dangerous to overreact to preseason performances, so A.T Perry’s impressive debut doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be a featured part of the Saints passing attack for years to come. However, when taking a look at the depth chart, Perry should have a decent shot of making the final roster.
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How A.T. Perry Fits on the Saints Depth Chart
The New Orleans Saints already have a star wide receiver in Chris Olave and, on paper, another reliable option in Michael Thomas. Olave is going to be the top option in this passing attack no matter what, and if Thomas can stay healthy, he has the inside track for the WR2 job. After that, things get interesting.
Rashid Shaheed showed plenty of promise as a rookie, hauling in 28 receptions for 488 yards and two touchdowns on just 34 targets. If he can keep this up, he could be a reliable deep threat, but all of his production came in a small sample. For all we know, this was a complete fluke. Even if Shaheed proved to be the real deal, Perry should be the fourth receiver on the Saints depth chart. The only other players of note are James Washington, a journeyman backup that hasn’t caught a pass since 2021, and Tre’Quan Smith, who could easily be cut for salary cap purposes.
Ultimately, A.T. Perry should earn a depth shot on the Saints depth chart with the ability to grow into a larger role if and when injuries strike. As far as sixth-round picks go, that’s a pretty solid investment.
Main Photo: Stephen Lew – USA Today Sports
