Off-Season Primer - New Orleans Saints

2023 Record- (9-8)

In 2023, the Saints missed the playoffs for the third straight season, losing the tie-breakers for the division title and the wild card. The team improved from their 7-10 season in 2022 under Dennis Allen, who was in his second season as head coach of New Orleans. 

The free agent signing of Derek Carr helped solidify the quarterback situation in New Orleans. Carr threw for 3,878 yards and 25 touchdowns while only throwing 8 interceptions. The Saints were led on offense by second year wide receiver Chris Olave. Olave led the team in catches with 87 and yards with 1,123. The running game struggled when Alvin Kamara was out with an early season suspension. In 12 games, he led the Saints in rushing with 694 yards and added 75 receptions. His versatility is a huge part of the Saints' offense. 

On defense, linebacker Demario Davis led the team in tackles with 121 while adding 6.5 sacks. 

Draft Picks

Round 1 - (14)

Round 2- (45)

Round 5- (149)

Round 5- (167)

Round 5- (169)

Round 5- (174)

Round 6- (192)

Round 6- (201)

Round 7- (230)

Free Agents

Projected Cap Space - Approximately negative $15MM

T-Andrus Peat

TE- Jimmy Graham

G-Trai Turner

CB- Lonnie Johnson

CB- Isaac Yiadom

OLB- Zack Baun

G- Max Garcia

T- Cameron Erving

S-Ugo Amadi

LB- Ty Summers

DE-Kyle Phillips

DE-Malcolm Roach

WR-Keith Kirkwood

LB- Andrew Dowell

FB- Adam Prentice

CB- Shemar Jean-Charles

RB- Lynn Bowden

RB- Eno Benjamin

WR-Rashid Shaheed

DT- P.J. Mustipher

G- Billy Price

The New Orleans Saints are $15MM over the salary cap and are going to try and rework wide receiver Michael Thomas’ contract. Chances are if Thomas does not agree to renegotiate his contract he will be released to free up cap space for New Orleans. Guards Max Garcia and Trai Turner are both backup guards who offer some depth but could fetch more out on the open market.

The Saints do not have any starters on defense set to leave for free agency. However, they have several depth pieces set to move on. The Saints' secondary was hit with injuries in 2023 and the depth was there to help them through. 

The Saints are over the cap but do not have many high end free agents to worry about re-signing in 2024. They have 9 draft picks to add some depth back into the organization. 

Biggest Needs 

OL

WR

S

Edge

The Saints' offensive line underperformed all year long and if they want to get the best out of Derek Carr they need to find a way to upgrade long-term at the position. They need to replace left tackle Andrus Peat and they also need to add some depth in the middle of the line if each free agent leaves.

New Orleans has their #1 receiver in Chris Olave, but they need to improve the room and may look to this exceptionally deep class to do just that. Rashid Shaheed is a deep threat who slots in nicely as the #2. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Safety Tyrone Mathieu is going to be 32 this upcoming season and the Saints lack depth on the back end to step in if there is an injury. Look for them to address this in the April draft as opposed to adding in free agency with already-tight budgets.