Factoid

Devery Henderson had his problems with drops last year, but he's definitely got the speed to get deep. He averaged 23.3 yards per catch two years ago, and he averaged 20.5 yards per catch last season. Both figures led the league.

Henderson's combined average of 22.2, in fact, is the highest by any wide receiver since Alvin Harper was going deep for Dallas in the early '90s.

Now, if they can get more consistency and better hands from Henderson, maybe he'll develop into a Harper-like deep threat. More likely, he'll be a part-time player for them, rotating in on three-receiver sets. The Saints are high enough on him that they re-signed him to a one-year deal worth $2 million.

My guess is that Henderson will see only limited playing time. Marques Colston is New Orleans' No. 1 receiver, and I believe David Patten and Robert Meachem will both come in ahead of Henderson in the pecking order. The Saints also have Lance Moore, and I believe Moore will see some playing time as well. I think Moore will also play more than Henderson, though on the team’s official depth chart, Henderson is still listed as a starter. So in theory, he’s supposedly ahead of Patten, Meachem and Moore.

Highest yards-per-catch averages over two seasons in the last 15 years:
(Minimum of 50 catches to qualify; shows all wide receivers who averaged 18 or more yards).

Avg
23.2   Alvin Harper (1993-1994)
22.2   Devery Henderson (2006-2007)
20.5   Chris Sanders (1995-1996)
20.1   Devery Henderson (2005-2006)
19.9   Shawn Jefferson (1998-1999)
19.8   Keith Poole (1998-1999)
19.6   Willie Anderson (1994-1995)
19.3   Ashley Lelie (2004-2005)
19.3   Randy Moss (1997-1998)
18.9   Willie Davis (1992-1993)
18.9   Alvin Harper (1992-1993)
18.8   Ashley Lelie (2003-2004)
18.8   Albert Connell (1999-2000)
18.7   Henry Ellard (1995-1996)
18.7   Albert Connell (2000-2001)
18.5   Tim Dwight (1999-2000)
18.5   James Jett (1997-1998)
18.5   Henry Ellard (1994-1995)
18.4   Willie Green (1994-1995)
18.4   Randy Moss (1998-1999)
18.4   Alvin Harper (1994-1995)
18.4   Torry Holt (2000-2001)
18.4   Anthony Miller (1994-1995)
18.3   Ernie Mills (1994-1995)
18.3   Shawn Jefferson (1997-1998)
18.2   Randy Moss (1999-2000)
18.1   Torry Holt (1999-2000)
18.0   Yancey Thigpen (1996-1997)
18.0   Willie Anderson (1993-1994)
18.0   Santana Moss (2004-2005)

-Ian Allan

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