Tre’Quan Smith: 2020 Dynasty Profile

Past Production

Here are Tre’Quan Smith’s full NFL stats.

The Saints drafted Smith in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the 91st overall pick. At the time, the Saints had star wide receiver Michael Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara as their top two receiving weapons. However, after those top two players, they had very few secondary options, with veterans Ben Watson and Ted Ginn as Smith’s main competition for targets.

Ginn suffered an early injury, opening the door for Smith to claim the clear WR2 role behind Thomas. While Smith wasn’t particularly fantasy-relevant, he caught five touchdowns, impressive for any rookie wide receiver. After 2018, I believed that Smith had taken his spot in the Saints’ offense, and he would increase his production in year two.

Unfortunately, that breakout didn’t happen in 2019. Thomas and Kamara maintained their roles as the dominant options in the offense. However, free-agent tight end Jared Cook, not Smith, became Drew Brees’ third-favorite target. Ginn also returned to the team, splitting the WR2 role with Smith. Smith seemed unable truly to break away from Ginn, and Ginn outproduced him on the season.

2020 Performance and Outlook

I mostly wrote Smith off after 2019. I believed that the Saints would address their WR2 position in either free agency or the draft, relegating Smith down the depth chart. The Saints did just that, signing Emmanuel Sanders to a two-year, $24 million contract with $10 million guaranteed. I thought Sanders would step in as a slot option in 3WR sets, and he would start over Smith in 2WR sets alongside Michael Thomas.

Week 1 brought mixed results for Sanders and Smith. Smith out-snapped Sanders, 65% to 49%, so I was wrong about their projected playing time. Sanders came in on 3WR sets, while Smith was more of the every-down receiver. However, even though Smith played more, Sanders received five targets to Smith’s one, and Sanders also caught a touchdown pass.

As we know, Thomas suffered a high-ankle sprain in that Week 1 game. Therefore, the Saints played Week 2 against the Raiders without Thomas, forcing Smith and Sanders to step up. Smith, not Sanders, played Thomas’ WR1 role. The Saints used both Smith and Sanders on most of the snaps, but Smith was the top receiver with 88%, compared to 78% for Sanders. 

They also used Smith on similar plays that they used Thomas in the past, giving Smith seven targets, of which he caught five for 86 yards. In contrast, Sanders had one reception on three targets for 18 yards. While I don’t want to draw conclusions for one game, I believe that Smith is the Saints’ WR1 until Thomas returns. I’m not sure that gives Smith much fantasy value, but he’s probably a WR4 option while Thomas is out.

Dynasty Analysis

In dynasty leagues, I’m already willing to move Smith ahead of Sanders in my rankings. Smith is about nine years younger than Sanders, so he has long-term upside. The Saints should have a new quarterback in 2021, and they have Kamara and Thomas on long-term deals. While Smith might not have much opportunity in New Orleans, he will hit free agency after 2021 at 26 years old. 

He’s a talented player, and I would love to hold him as a dynasty stash. If you want to sell him, I would probably need more than a third-round rookie pick. If someone offers you two thirds or a second-rounder, though, I’d be okay with moving on.

Thanks for reading this article. You can find me on Twitter at @DFF_Karp. I love to interact with anyone in the community, so reach out at any time! I take fantasy questions and help with all formats, so keep sending those questions my way.