Marquez Valdes-Scantling scorches Falcons in Saints' play of the day

The New Orleans Saints are 67 days away from their first game of the year versus the Arizona Cardinals. The game officially kicks off the Kellen Moore era in New Orleans.

As we continue our countdown to kickoff, we take a look back to the tail end of the last regime. The play of the day is Marquez Valdes-Scantling's 67-yard reception against the Atlanta Falcons.

This play of the day continues our streak of highlighting explosive plays downfield. First was a pair of 69-yard touchdowns by Kenny Stills. That was followed by Rashid Shaheed's 68-yard receiving score. Now, we highlight Valdes-Scantling deep shot. Coincidentally, both he and Shaheed's touchdowns came against the Falcons.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling torched the Atlanta Falcons

Marquez Valdes-Scantling took a game to get his footing. In his first game with New Orleans, he only had one catch for five yards. He had only just gotten to New Orleans, so whatever expectations there may have been should have been tempered for at least the first game. The next week, however, he went off.

Valdes-Scantling finished the day with three catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns. All three of his catches came in a five play span. Touchdown, catch, run, run, touchdown, in that order.

Ironically, Valdes-Scantling's 67-yard catch was his longest catch, but his only reception that wasn't a touchdown. He closed the drive with a two yard touchdown, his second score of the day.

Valdes-Scantling was exactly what the Saints needed post-Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave's injury

The Saints had a shallow receiving corps going into 2024. It was essentially Chris Olave and Shaheed at the top, with questionable depth. The Saints would have been in trouble if they lost either Olave or Shaheed. Then, they lost both.

The injuries placed a greater role on the supporting cast, and they weren't ready. Picking up Valdes-Scantling in the middle of the year gave the Saints a veteran wide receiver who could come in and lead their receiving corps.

While he isn't a true lead receiver, Valdes-Scantling performed as well as a third receiver filling in as your top guy could play. He gave you some moments, like his touchdown versus the Falcons. You still missed your top guys. No one else seemed poised to step into that role

Most notably, Valdes-Scantling replaced Shaheed as the Saints' deep threat. He recorded two touchdowns of over 40 yards and two catches of more than 50 yards. He wasn't a savior, but the passing attack would have been even worse if New Orleans didn't pick up Valdes-Scantling.