John Lepore | May 28th, 2020
For the past three seasons, the Saints have been so close to making it to the big game. This year they are again picked to be one of the top teams in the NFL. Aside from getting to Super Bowl LV, let’s take a look at my five bold predictions for the New Orleans Saints.
Make sure to check out all of our other team bold predictions here.
Alvin Kamara has 2,000 yards from scrimmage
This is a contract year for the former third-round pick. The Saints are going to use one of their best offensive weapons often. In 2018, Kamara touched the ball 275 times in 15 games (18.3 touches per game). He has averaged 6.1 yards per touch in his career. Going strictly on the math, if his usage increases by two touches per game from 2018, he would finish with 325 touches. At a 6.1 YPT average that would give him 1,983 YFS. Predicting 2,000 yards may be bold but it isn’t that far of a stretch. With increased usage behind a great offensive line, and looking to cash in, the 25-year-old back can certainly have his best offensive season in 2020.
Prediction: 1,097 yards rushing, 92 catches, 946 yards receiving
Drew Brees finally wins Most Valuable Player Award
Despite the video game-like numbers Brees has put up in his career, he has never won an MVP. This is the year that changes. Although I believe the Saints will be in positive game scripts and Sean Payton may choose to be more conservative with a lead, the game plan always revolves around Brees. His accuracy and the catching ability of Kamara and Michael Thomas makes the short passing game just as efficient a clock-killer as running it up the middle. He may not throw for 5,000 yards again, but his efficiency will be off the charts and will garner him enough votes to finally take home the MVP.
Prediction: 4,641 yards, 76.1 Comp %, 43/4 TD/INT rate
Cameron Jordan leads the league in sacks
Big #94 has never missed a game in a Saints uniform since entering the league in 2011. He set a career-high in sacks last season at 15.5 and has had 12+ sacks each of the last three seasons. Jordan finished third behind Shaquil Barrett (19.5) and Chandler Jones (19.0) in 2019. Barrett came out of nowhere but Jones has been a stud for a while. Nick Bosa came onto the scene as well. Leading the league may be tough but Cam is still just going to be 31 and he should be able to pin his ears back even more this season.
Prediction: 18 sacks
Marcus Williams leads the league in interceptions
The Saints have only had two players lead the league in interceptions (Dave Whitsell with 10 in 1967 and Darren Sharper with 9 in 2009). This year Williams joins that club. He had four picks last season in 15 games and 13 passes defended. With Marshon Lattimore and Janoris Jenkins covering the corner spots, Williams should be able to play center field. He can read and react well as any free safety. With teams likely to be forced to pass, Williams has the opportunity to double last season’s total and come away with eight picks.
Saints take the Number One seed in the NFC
The Saints were a couple of tiebreakers away from the first seed in 2019. This season with the window closing, the Saints will dominate. WhoDat Nation knows that this is the year with Brees’s retirement looming and many top players staring at free agency. It is Super Bowl or bust for the Black and Gold and they will deliver.
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