The New Orleans Saints have a few younger players on their roster who may have to play bigger roles in 2025. Who are they? The Saints do have some encouraging young talent on their roster, but the roster is still clearly a work in progress, and there is a reason why they likely aren't going to be favored to win the weak NFC South.
However, the Saints can simply prove people wrong and breakout in 2025, much like teams like the Commanders and Broncos did. A huge reason why those two teams broke out was them getting top performances from some young players.
The Saints could have this happen as well, as these three players may have to be in bigger roles in 2025.
3 Saints who may have to play bigger roles in the 2025 NFL Season
Alontae Taylor and Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB
Alontae Taylor has been quite good for the Saints, and he's one of two cornerbacks on this list along with Kool-Aid McKinstry. In 2024, the New Orleans Saints sent long-time CB Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders, and Paulson Adebo departed to sign with the New York Giants. Both Taylor and McKinstry are now 'the guys' in the CB room.
McKinstry played in 15 games in 2024, starting nine of them, and Taylor playedi n all 17, starting 15. While Taylor did play in over 90% of the defensive snaps in 2024, he may now be seen as their top CB, so that could also mean that Kool-Aid McKinstry is seeing a lot of balls come his way, as Taylor is more proven.
Both young cornerbacks are going to have more on their shoulders in 2025, as it's a new era on the backend of the Saints defense. There is reason to believe that each player can thrive, though.
Chris Olave, WR
Playing in just eight games in 2024, Chris Olave obviously did not continue his streak of 1,000-yard seasons to begin his career, as he had 1K seasons in 2022 and 2023. Being that Kellen Moore definitely likes to air it out, and being that Olave is their most reliable target, a lot is going to be on his shoulders in 2025, and for good reason.
Furthermore, Chris Olave is surely aware that he is also likely playing for a long-term contract extension, so that gives him another reason to explode next season. While Derek Carr isn't great, he can absolutely get the football to his best players. Much of what happens with Olave in 2025 is firmly on him, though. He's got to stay on the field and take advantage of the chances he gets in the passing game.