3 moves Saints can make to give Derek Carr everything he needs

Like many recent offseasons, the New Orleans Saints had quite a bit to navigate this year, financially speaking.

And, as they have often done, the Saints figured out a way to get under the cap. But, they haven't been in position to make any splash moves during free agency. The biggest move, yet, has been the signing of pass rusher Chase Young on a 1-year deal.

Looking on the other side of the ball, the Saints continue to search for answers. Pete Carmichael wasn't going to cut it anymore. Derek Carr needs more help, both from coaching/scheme and personnel around him.

Where do the Saints turn to now with the bulk of free agency in the rear view and the 2024 NFL Draft coming up? How do they give Carr exactly what he needs in order to turn this offense into what it could be?

We're approaching the Saints needing more than just insurance at offensive tackle

First and foremost, Carr needs to remain upright. The health of Ryan Ramczyk is becoming an issue. Now, we don't know if he'll be ready to play the 2024 season. That doesn't bode well for this offensive line, especially considering Trevor Penning, on the other side, has not developed in the manner the Saints would have liked.

Does New Orleans go with an offensive tackle in Round 1? They might have to.

And, if one of Penn State's Olu Fashanu or Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga are available at no. 14 overall, then the Saints need to pull the trigger. That's an easy decision. Make it happen. Protect your quarterback.

Chris Olave can't do it alone

Now that the Michael Thomas saga is over and done with, the Saints need to really focus in on finding another wide receiver to pair with Chris Olave. Newly-signed Cedrick Wilson is more of a WR3/WR4 and shouldn't be counted on as the second option. Rashid Shaheed is a great WR3 option, but I'm not so sure he's a no. 2 either.

In the second round, the Saints might be able to come away with someone like Roman Wilson, Ja'Lynn Polk or Xavier Legette. Any one of those three would be fine selections. Or, the Saints could try and go get free agent Michael Gallup on a 1-year, prove-it type of deal.

Regardless, the Saints have to find themselves a legitimate WR2 because, to this point, they don't have one.

Why not throw in the towel on this whole tight end experiment and end the shenanigans?

This has been a sore spot for years now. The Saints simply haven't done a good job giving this offense a bonafide threat at the tight end position. It's not Taysom Hill. It's not Foster Moreau. Juwan Johnson is a great TE2 and a threat in the red zone, but he still hasn't blossomed as a legitimate weapon.

One option for the Saints, in the draft, could be Texas tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders. He's been compared to David Njoku and brings a ton of athleticism and big play ability to the position. If the Saints landed someone like Sanders, there would be no question who the TE1 is, and Carr would finally have a reliable threat there.