AP

The Saints took wide receiver Nick Toon in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft, and in his first three seasons he hasn’t done much. Toon spent his rookie season on injured reserve, caught four passes in 2013 and caught 17 passes in 2015.

This year, the Saints think things will be different.

Saints coach Sean Payton said that the team has seen more from Toon than just the limited amount he’s shown in games, and the Saints believe he can be a significant player in their passing game this season.

“We saw at times last year in practice, even though he’s not receiving reps in the games, certainly we’ve seen his progression, he understands the system well and he’s working hard,” Payton said, via the New Orleans Advocate. “I think the key is just getting snaps, but I think we’ll see his snaps go way up.”

Saints quarterback Drew Brees noted that when Toon started getting playing time late last season, he made the most of it, with all 17 of his catches last year coming in Weeks 12-17.

“I felt like he made the most of it, we saw glimpses,” Brees said. “We’ve had the ability to maneuver him around and give him more opportunities that way, and he’s been able to handle it very well. So I’m excited for Nick Toon. He’s got a great opportunity. I think there’s a great fit for him.”

The Saints’ two leading receivers from last year, Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills, are gone this year. That means someone is going to have to pick up the slack. That someone may be Toon, who will get a lot more opportunities than he has in his first three seasons.