Robert Meachem

Nick Toon's release on Tuesday didn't come as a shock. But it's still a disappointment that the former fourth-round draft pick was never able to realize his potential with the New Orleans Saints.

Toon had his best opportunity yet to finally play a key role for the Saints this year after he finished strong in 2014 and the team parted ways with fellow receivers Kenny Stills and Robert Meachem in the offseason. Instead Toon had a quiet summer on the practice field, then he went down with an ankle injury in the second preseason game. A league source confirmed he's being released, though it's unclear if that will come with an injury designation.

The starters will be second-year breakout candidate Brandin Cooks and longtime veteran Marques Colston.

Behind them, second-year pro Brandon Coleman appears most likely to emerge as the No. 3 receiver this season -- although he hasn't cemented that role yet because he's gone quiet in all of New Orleans' preseason games.

The 6-foot-6, 225-pound Coleman, who went undrafted out of Rutgers in 2014 has the highest ceiling of all the backup receivers. The team will keep giving him opportunities to play a key role after he has looked so good in practices this summer. He could especially be effective in the red zone, the story said. After Coleman, veterans Josh Morgan and Joseph Morgan are jockeying for position with two other second-year undrafted receivers: Willie Snead and Seantavius Jones.