The New Orleans Saints waived wide receiver Cyril Grayson Jr. on Friday, who signed with the team earlier this summer after a successful tryout during rookie minicamps in May. Grayson’s natural speed and athleticism were on vivid display throughout Saints training camp and the preseason, and for good reason: before trying football, he starred for the LSU Tigers on their track and field team. Mike Triplett of ESPN first reported Grayson’s release.
Grayson’s straight-line speed is impressive — as would be expected — but he also showed off an unexpected physicality during live-contact sessions and the Saints’ preseason games. He converted just eight catches into 147 receiving yards (three of them gaining 20-plus yards in one go), which tied for 18th-best in the NFL. There will always be room in the league for players who can get open deep downfield with frequency.
He’s clearly a talented athlete and at just 25 years of age, could develop into a really nice NFL player. He’s a good bet to land on the Saints practice squad should he clear waivers, though every other team will have the opportunity to try and claim his rights.
It’s a difficult weekend for the Saints coaching staff and front office, with dozens of roster cuts still ahead of them. Letting go of players who have spent the summer competing for just a handful of jobs on the opening-day roster is never easy, but their stories may not be over just yet.
