After a disappointing 2023 season, where the New Orleans Saints went 9-8 and missed the postseason for a third consecutive year, the Saints need to have a great offseason if they intend to compete in 2024. With free agency here, and the 2024 NFL Draft approaching, it’s important to have a plan.
There will be a ton of talented players available but New Orleans can’t go after them all. The team must assess the roster and determine the specific holes it has to address. From the outside looking in, here are the top five positions that the Saints should look to address this offseason.
5. Safety
Safety is a big need for the Saints this offseason. They recently released Marcus Maye, who played in 17 of their last 34 games. That leaves a hole at the starting safety position. The Saints could address this in-house. Second-year player Jordan Howden and veteran Johnathan Abram are two great options to fill that role. Both played great down the stretch of last season and filled in well for Maye when he was not in the lineup.
If the Saints look to bring someone in, they are in luck. The safety market is currently booming, as there are a multitude of amazing safeties sitting in free agency. There are amazing options such as Xavier Mckinney, Justin Simmons, Quandre Diggs, or even a possible reunion with C.J. Gardner-Johnson. There is a plethora of talent at the position and the Saints really can’t go wrong.
New Orleans has already taken advantage of the safety market as they recently signed Tyrann Mathieu to a two-year extension. Mathieu has been an amazing player for the Saints in the past couple of years. Last season, he tied for the lead on the team in interceptions, with four. Re-signing him was a step to ensure the safety position, but they still need to add 1 or 2 more players to make it as strong of a unit as it has previously been.
4. Linebacker Depth
The next position that the Saints need to work on this offseason is at linebacker. There are no questions about the talent of Demario Davis and Pete Werner. Both of those players are amazing and when on the field are an amazing tandem. After those two, it starts to get a little dicey.
The future of Zack Baun is uncertain as he is a pending free agent. Even if he stays, it looks like his role could be more of a pass rusher than a coverage linebacker. Next in the depth chart was Nephi Sewell. He was playing great until he tore his ACL. Now he is another question mark, as we don’t know when to expect Sewell to be back on the field. Finally, there is D’Marco Jackson. We haven’t seen a lot of Jackson so we don’t know what to expect out of him either.
Behind Davis and Werner there is lots of uncertainty. This offseason the Saints need to pick up someone, whether it is in free agency or the NFL draft. They don’t need to invest a ton of capital in it, as they need is to increase the amount of depth they have. All it takes is one injury then the reserves are sprung into action.
3. Possession pass catchers
The need that I have ranked third is a possession pass catcher. It could be a wide receiver or a tight end. Who will be that guy that Derek Carr can throw it to and will consistently come down with it? It used to be Michael Thomas but since he will no longer be on the Saints next year it has to be someone else.
A.T. Perry, who the Saints drafted in the sixth round last year, has a chance to fill in that role. In limited snaps this past year, Perry made some great catches. When he was given the opportunity, Perry capitalized on it. It will be interesting to see how his development comes along and if he will be able to fill this role for the Saints.
This could also be addressed in free agency or the NFL draft. A popular name for the Saints in free agency has been Tyler Boyd. Boyd has played on the Bengals as their third option and hasn’t gotten his chance to shine. If he goes to New Orleans, he would have the opportunity and should produce.
The NFL draft could fetch a similar player such as Xavier Legette, Keon Coleman, Luke McCaffrey, or even Theo Johnson. There will be plenty of options for the Saints to address a possession pass catcher this offseason.
2. Offensive Line
These final two needs are fairly close; with the positive news surrounding Ryan Ramczyk’s health, offensive line will take the number two spot. The Saints need to bolster the offensive line any chance they get this offseason. Developing pieces that are currently on the roster is a must as well. Trevor Penning needs to develop this offseason as his time might be running out if he doesn’t. It should also be interesting to see how second-year player Nick Saldiveri will develop. He was injured last year and when he was able to play he didn’t get in the game.
The Saints have lucked out with this year’s NFL draft. The selection at the offensive tackle position in particular is elite. If they use a round-one pick, they could end up with a Taliese Fuaga, Olu Fashanu, or JC Latham. Even if they don’t select one in the first round there are still elite options such as Kiran Amegadjie, Kinglsey Suamataia, and Patrick Paul. They shouldn’t have an issue finding an amazing offensive line prospect in this year’s draft.
In free agency, the Saints should try to develop depth behind their starters. Whether its re-signing players such as Max Garcia or finding some more versatile pieces who can play multiple positions. The Saints have to expect injuries in the trenches this year and should prepare for it as much as possible.
1. Defensive Line
The position that the Saints need to address the most is the defensive line. Last year, the Saints defense totaled 34 sacks, which ranked them 28th in the NFL. The league average was 44 so the Saints are behind where they need to be. Carl Granderson and Bryan Bresee both look to be the future of the Saints; they are still young and had great production this past year. Outside of them, a lot of work needs to be done.
Similar to the tackle position, there are amazing prospects for the defensive line. Popular names in the first round are Dallas Turner, Jared Verse, and Laiatu Latu. All three of these players would be huge contributors on the defensive line immediately. If there isn’t anyone they love in the first round then no big deal. In the second round, they could find options such as Chop Robinson, Darius Robinson, or Bralen Trice. The options are there, the Saints just have to pick the one they like.
Free agency will also be big for the Saints in this position. They should address it so they have the freedom to take who they like in the first round. If they sign some players they won’t be tied to taking an edge in the first round. One way or another, the Saints need at least one, if not multiple players, to bring this lacking unit up to where it needs to be.