Former Pitt WR gets big opportunity at TNF

The New Orleans Saints will be without star wideout Chris Olave and lead receiver Rashid Shaheed for Thursday Night Football against the Denver Broncos, but that presents an opportunity for Bub Means.

Means — a 6-foot-2, 215-pound wideout from Lovejoy, Georgia — took advantage of his opportunity last weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and led the team with eight targets. He had five receptions for 45 yards and his first career touchdown against the Bucs.

With Olave and Shaheed out, Means may be in for a big game.

Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler and Means worked well as a rookie duo last weekend, and that relationship could be important against an admittedly stout Broncos defense.

Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Bub Means (0) November 4, 2023 David Hague/PSN

The Saints selected Means in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 170th overall, and that was somewhat of a surprise.

“As far as the Saints, no, I really haven’t had much contact with the Saints,” Means told Saints News Network after his selection. “It was a surprise when they called me. I got a call from New Orleans. I'm looking at the phone, man. That doesn't work. I called. They really are the saints.”

But despite the unexpected moment, Means couldn't have been happier to have his name announced by the Saints.

“Man, that was a surreal moment,” Means told SNN. “I was holding back tears when I got the call. I can't wait to get out there and contribute to the team, to the win, to the culture. It was just a blessing. I can’t even explain it.”

During his Pitt career, Means managed 68 receptions for 1,122 yards (16.5 yards per reception) and eight touchdowns, and in 2023 he became the Panthers' leading receiver. Last season he caught 41 balls for 721 yards and six touchdowns, but 650 yards and all six touchdowns came in the last eight games – an average of 81 receiving yards per game.

Means showed plenty of potential down the stretch, serving as one of the best wide receivers in the ACC, and he relied on that performance to earn a spot in the NFL. He has potential, and now it's about turning that potential into production.

“I just felt like I did everything I could in college,” Bub Means said at the Shrine Bowl. “And I’m ready to take the next step to the next level. I feel like the feedback I got was decent enough to come out, that's all. I only bet on myself.”

The Saints and Broncos start Thursday night at 8:15 p.m. on Amazon Prime.