The New Orleans Saints have had outstanding fortune with undrafted wide receivers over their history.
Lance Moore went from undrafted to the Saints Hall of Fame. Brandon Coleman, Willie Snead, Marquez Callaway, and Deonte Harris were undrafted wideouts that made some significant contributions for New Orleans. Juwan Johnson went from undrafted wideout to starting tight end.
The team's most recent example of undrafted success is Rashid Shaheed. Undrafted in 2022, Shaheed has blossomed into one of the league's most explosive players.
Shaheed won a roster spot with the Saints in part because of his blazing speed. There is a wideout among this year's undrafted class with some of those same attributes.
Chris Tyree, WR (Virginia)
Chris Tyree (4) of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish breaks away for a touchdown. Credit: NBC29/29news.com
Chris Tyree (4) of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish breaks away for a touchdown. Credit: NBC29/29news.com
Notre Dame won the recruiting battle for Tyree, a four-star recruit at running back out of Thomas Dale High School in Virginia. As a true freshman with the Fighting Irish in 2020, he'd be second on the team with 496 rushing yards.
Tyree had only 222 rushing yards in 2021, but did add 24 receptions for 258 yards. He continued to be a pass catching threat out of the backfield in 2022, pulling in 24 passes for 138 yards and adding 444 yards on the ground. In 2023, Tyree led the Fighting Irish with 484 receiving yards on 26 catches seeing more duty as a receiver.
After the 2023-24 campaign, Tyree transferred to Virginia to finish his collegiate career. He appeared in just 10 games as a wideout, catching 24 passes for 136 yards and adding 43 yards on the ground.
Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Chris Tyree (4) fields a punt against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Chris Tyree (4) fields a punt against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
Tyree is extremely inexperienced as a wide receiver. He had only one season at the position full-time, with most of his reps coming from the slot. He'll need to show that he can expand on a very limited route tree and also develop much better route precision.
Tyree's inexperience as a receiver shows up on contested catches. He has trouble winning those battles and wasn't often a factor as a pass catcher if his speed didn't get him separation. He'll need to have both better focus and more consistent hands when thrown to in tight coverage.
Listed at just under 5'10" and 190-Lbs., Tyree will be at a physical disadvantage against bigger defensive backs. He has trouble getting a clean release against the press and gets jostled around in high-traffic areas. Those issues only increase the importance of route variation and precision as he develops at a fairly new position.
Tyree's elite speed is what had him most attractive to NFL scouts and coaches. He registered a 4.29 40 in postseason workouts, adding an eye-popping 42-inch vertical leap and equally impressive shuttle times.
Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Chris Tyree (4) runs after a catch against the Pittsburgh Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Chris Tyree (4) runs after a catch against the Pittsburgh Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Tyree is an outstanding kick returner, which could be his key to an NFL roster. His experience as a running back gives him valuable versatility and allows him to be a matchup weapon with a creative offensive coordinator.
As a route runner, Tyree's speed allows him to sell a deep route to get separation underneath. He explodes off the line, putting defensive backs on their heels quickly, and has the ability to run by them in the blink of an eye.
Tyree has flashed some nice quickness from the slot. He'll need to learn to read and manipulate off-ball coverages better, but he's shown rapid growth in that area.
Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Chris Tyree (4) picks up yards against the Pitt Panthers. Credit: Roanoke Times
Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Chris Tyree (4) picks up yards against the Pitt Panthers. Credit: Roanoke Times
Once the ball is in his hands, Tyree's experience as a running back and kick returner is on full display. He's extremely elusive in open space and has outstanding vision and sudden burst to pick up extra yardage.
Chris Tyree, like all undrafted rookies, has the odds against him to even make the roster. However, he has the speed and athleticism to turn heads during camp. He adds extra value with his positional versatility and abilities as a kick returner.
Tyree obviously has the skills to take a top off a defense. He could also prove to be a lethal weapon on quick screens, jet sweeps, and out of the backfield. Those skills give him the chance to add his name to the many other undrafted gems that the Saints have uncovered at wide receiver.