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How many snaps did the New Orleans Saints lose this offseason?

By John Hendrix

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Pro Football Focus is currently running a series which focuses on a team’s departures during the offseason, and the amount of lost snaps as a result. The New Orleans Saints are up today, and came in ranking at 26th on offense, and 19th on defense.

Here’s a list of the New Orleans Saints largest culprits, as per the article.

Offense

  • Ben Grubbs, Guard (1,152)
  • Jonathan Goodwin, Center (865)
  • Jimmy Graham, Tight End (790)
  • Kenny Stills, Wide Receiver (626)
  • Pierre Thomas, Running Back (305)

"Grubbs and Graham were traded away in an effort to alleviate cap room, both present and future, with the former finding a new home in Kansas City while the latter was swapped for Max Unger from Seattle. Goodwin will not be back after holding down the center job for most of the year, doing respectable if not stellar work at age 36. In an interesting move, Stills was relieved of his roster spot via trade with Miami despite being a productive receiver on a rookie contract. Thomas was a cap casualty, cut after a strong year (+9.3) in a part-time role, and the 30-year-old running back remains unsigned."

Defense

  • Curtis Lofton, Linebacker (1,063)
  • Corey White, Cornerback (772)
  • Patrick Robinson, Cornerback (624)

"The up and down Lofton ended his time with the Saints on a sour note, conjuring up a -21.5 grade in his final year with the team before heading off to Oakland. The defense likely won’t be much worse after having lost White, who’s -17.9 coverage grade was the lowest of all cornerbacks in 2014. Robinson had a solid year, allowing just one touchdown on 387 snaps in coverage, but now finds himself a member of the Chargers."

As Cole Schultz suggests, the New Orleans Saints did compensate for their losses. With the exception of the team’s left guard position, it’s not hard to say who the equivalent replacements are for each position.

Jimmy Graham – Josh Hill
Jonathan Goodwin – Max Unger
Kenny Stills – Brandon Coleman/Joe Morgan/Seantavius Jones
Pierre Thomas – C.J. Spiller
Curtis Lofton – David Hawthorne/Stephone Anthony
Corey White/Patrick Robinson – Brandon Browner/Delvin Breaux

Having the amount of turnover year over year isn’t exactly frowned upon, but does raise some questions as to how newer players will fit in with their new squad. However, when you hear and read about the various positives from the players brought in to the New Orleans Saints franchise, you can’t help but feel great about the team’s chances for the upcoming year.

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