Lucas Krull broke out at Pitt during the 2021 season, and now he’s attempting to break out with the New Orleans Saints this preseason. A very nice, contested catch won’t hurt his case.
Krull went up over — and around second-year Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Raheem Layne in the second quarter of the Saints-Chargers game, hauling in the 15-yard toss from Saints quarterback Jameis Winston.
It was an excellent individual effort from Krull, which he’ll continue to need as he tries to carve out a role in the Saints’ offense in Year 2.
Krull was targeted a team-high eight times against the Chargers, bringing in three catches for 30 yards. But he did let a potential touchdown pass slip through his hands in the end zone, too. He didn’t have a catch in the Saints’ first preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he’ll have an opportunity to end the preseason on a high note in the preseason finale against the Houston Texans.
The Saints signed Krull as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft, and he bounced between the practice squad and the active roster before making his debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last December. He signed a futures contract with the Saints in January.
In two seasons at Pitt, Krull racked up 39 receptions for 457 yards (11.7 yards per reception) and six touchdowns — and all but one catch for six yards came during his final season in Pittsburgh in 2021.
Krull was one half of a strong tandem with Gavin Bartholomew, serving as a key target for Kenny Pickett as Pitt won the ACC championship.
The Saints have a deep tight ends room, headlined by Juwan Johnson, Taysom Hill, Foster Moreau, Jimmy Graham and fellow Pitt alumni J.P Holtz.
Holtz has played in four NFL seasons, signing with the Saints ahead of the 2022 season, and he played in six games last season.
