Saints' Rashid Shaheed continues breakout campaign in win over Cowboys

The 2022 un-drafted Weber State alum emerged into the league as an elite return specialist. He was named a first-team All-Pro punt returner in 2023 but showed flashes of being one of the league's more explosive offensive weapons during his sophomore season. He's now ripped off two receiving touchdowns of 59 or more yards through two weeks and is on pace to nearly double his 2023 receiving yardage total of 719.

Appalling stats of Shaheed's dominance down the field were posted to X following his 70-yard touchdown. Sunday's touchdown was his 13th catch of 40 or more yards since entering the league in 2022, the second-most in that span, only behind Tyreek Hill (17), according to Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. The deep ball also raised his average career touchdown length to an astounding 51.4 yards, according to ESPN's Katherine Terrell.

Following the Saints' Week 1 win against the Panthers, Shaheed said he knew the offensive opportunities would come for him.

"It's always a good feeling to be able to make the plays vertically down the field," Shaheed said. "I knew that I was going to get the opportunities. The coaches know that that's my strong suit... I take the top off any chance I get."

While his game-by-game success primarily relies on a lone colossal play, Shaheed will continue to be a key contributor to a ferocious Saints offense that has posted at least 44 points in consecutive games to open the season. New Orleans' next matchup is at home against the Philadelphia Eagles, who boast one of the league's more exploitable secondaries.