Bub Means Poised for Breakout Opportunity on Thursday Night Football

Bub Means, a former standout wide receiver from the University of Pittsburgh, is set to receive a major opportunity during Thursday Night Football when the New Orleans Saints face off against the Denver Broncos. With key players Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed sidelined due to injuries, Means has the chance to step up in a big way for the Saints.

Means, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound wideout from Lovejoy, Georgia, made the most of his chances last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He led the team with eight targets and turned those opportunities into five catches for 45 yards, including his first career NFL touchdown. Now, with Olave and Shaheed out, Means is poised to take on an even bigger role in the Saints' offense.

The chemistry between Means and Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler, both rookies, was evident in last weekend's game. Their connection will be crucial once again as they go up against a strong Broncos defense that won't make things easy. But this is the kind of moment where players like Means can shine, proving they belong on the big stage.

Means’ Journey to the NFL

The Saints selected Means in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 170th overall. It was a bit of a surprise pick, even to Means himself, who hadn’t had much contact with the Saints before the draft.

"I really didn’t have a lot of contact with the Saints,” Means told Saints News Network after the draft. “It was a surprise when they gave me the call. I got a call from New Orleans, and I’m looking at the phone like, man, ain’t no way. I got on the phone. It’s really the Saints.”

Despite the surprise, Means couldn’t have been happier. The call was a dream come true, and he described it as a surreal moment.

“I was holding back tears when I got the call,” Means said. “I can’t wait to come out there and contribute to the team, to the win, to the culture. It was just a blessing. I can’t even explain it.”

Means made a name for himself during his time at Pitt, where he hauled in 68 receptions for 1,122 yards (an impressive 16.5 yards per reception) and eight touchdowns over his college career. He really began to shine in 2023 when he led the Panthers in receiving. In that season, he caught 41 passes for 721 yards and six touchdowns, with the bulk of his production — 650 yards and all six touchdowns — coming in the final eight games. He averaged 81 receiving yards per game during that stretch, showcasing his ability to make big plays down the field.

By the end of the 2023 season, Means had established himself as one of the top wide receivers in the ACC. His performances down the stretch helped solidify his draft stock, and he bet on himself by declaring for the NFL draft early. At the Shrine Bowl, Means expressed his readiness to take the next step.

“I just felt like I did everything I could in college,” Means said. “And I’m ready to take the next step to the next level. I feel like the feedback I got was decent enough for me to come out, that’s all it was. I’m just betting on myself.”

A Golden Opportunity for Means

Now in the NFL, Means is being given the chance to show what he’s capable of on the professional stage. With key Saints receivers unavailable, the spotlight is on him. If he can continue building on his performance from last week and make an impact against the Broncos, it could be a turning point in his young career.

The Broncos' defense presents a tough challenge, but Means has the size, speed, and hands to compete at the highest level. He’s already proven himself as a big-play receiver in college, and if he can translate that to the NFL, the Saints may have found themselves a hidden gem in the fifth round.

For Means, this game is about turning potential into production. He’s already shown flashes of what he can do, but now he has a chance to prove that he can perform consistently. With Rattler throwing him the ball and the Saints needing someone to step up in their receiving corps, all eyes will be on Bub Means this Thursday night.

The Saints and Broncos kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime, and fans will be eager to see if Means can rise to the occasion.