Rishard Matthews

The Saints released Matthews on Saturday after he walked away from the team. He was a longshot to crack the 53-man roster, following a 2018 campaign with five receptions in eight games for the Titans and Jets. The 29-year-old wide receiver enjoyed a productive stretch from 2015 to 2017, averaging 58.6 receiving yards per game with 17 touchdowns in 41 appearances for Tennessee and Miami. He peaked in 2016 with a 65-945-9 receiving line.

Since the Titans acquiesced to his request and released him last September, he logged time with the Jets to close out the season but managed just two catches (on three targets) across 58 offensive snaps in five appearances. After the campaign, he was in limbo until the Saints offered him a tryout and signed him at the end of the team's mandatory minicamp. There was little chatter regarding the seven-year veteran in training camp, and he didn't see the field in the Saints' preseason opener Friday. This latter point may have been the final straw for Matthews, but he's officially on the open market again.

Matthews auditioned at the Saints' minicamp this week and clearly impressed enough to earn a contract, which at least means a continued tryout through the start of training camp. There's still no guarantee Matthews sticks with New Orleans through to the regular season, though the depth chart isn't totally settled under Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn and Tre'Quan Smith either. In eight games with the Jets and Titans in 2018, Matthews caught five passes for 24 yards and no touchdowns.

Matthews has reportedly been impressive in the eyes of Holder. At one point, the 29-year-old receiver caught a deep pass from Drew Brees while working with the first-team offense. While it's not clear if Matthews will be asked to stick around, a union with the Saints is probably one of his best-case scenarios as he attempts to resurface in the NFL. Matthews appeared in eight games with the Jets and Titans in 2018 and finished the year with five receptions on nine targets for 24 yards and no touchdowns. He also saw action as a punt returner for the second time in his career, which could help Matthews' case in landing a spot on the 90-man roster.