The New Orleans Saints and Who Dat Nation have had their hearts broken each of the last three years: The Minnesota Miracle, The infamous non-call in the NFC Championship game, and the overtime loss to the Minnesota Vikings again last season. Now that we’ve gotten the negativity out of the way, let’s take a look at the New Orleans Saints 2020 Team Preview.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL team previews.
Offseason Recap
They naturally brought back Drew Brees for two more years at $50 million. That signing shocked no one. Jameis Winston was brought in a 1-year prove-it deal to battle for the backup spot behind Brees. New Orleans has been in need of a second WR for what seems like ages. Enter Emmanuel Sanders. The Saints signed the 33-year-old vet to a 2-year/$24 million contract in the hopes of him filling that role. New Orleans also brought back Andrus Peat. The two-time Pro Bowl guard will be a Saint for five more years making $57.5 million ($33.8 million guaranteed).
On the other side of the ball, the Saints re-signed David Onyemata to a 3-year/$27 million contract ($18 million guaranteed). Onyemata has been a big part of their stellar run defense over the past couple of seasons. Malcolm Jenkins comes back to the Black and Gold after playing in Philly for the past six seasons. Cornerback and special teams star Justin Hardee returns as does long snapper Zach Wood who provides stability for Thomas Morstead and Wil Lutz in the kicking game.
Offense
Like a well-oiled machine, the offense will continue to run at top efficiency. With Brees, Alvin Kamara, and Michael Thomas forming one of the best “Big Threes” in the league, it should be business as usual. Jared Cook has a year under his belt in this offense. Sanders steps in as an upgrade and Latavius Murray can pound the rock. Add to all of this that the Saints have one of the best offensive lines in the league, and there is no reason to expect any regression.
Defense
The Saints have a playmaker at each level of the defense. Cameron Jordan had a career-high 15.5 sacks last season. Demario Davis is the leader in the middle of the linebacking crew and led the team with 111 tackles. Marshon Lattimore led the team in passes defended with 14 and takes away the opponent’s top WR. The loss of Vonn Bell may sting a bit but second-year safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson looks like he is ready to take another step.
Predicting the 53 Man Roster
QB (3) – Drew Brees, Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill
There is no doubt who the starter is, but picking the second string is a bit harder. Winston comes in on a 1-year deal with something to prove, but Hill has been here and just got paid to stick around for a bit longer. If Brees misses any time during the season, Winston would be the best choice to take the helm, leaving Hill to do what he does best; be a thorn in the side of opponent’s defenses from everywhere on the field.
RB (4) – Alvin Kamara, Latavius Murray, Ty Montgomery, Michael Burton (FB)
Kamara and Murray will be the one-two punch once again with Kamara looking to have a career year likely heading into free agency. Ty Montgomery brings versatility as a runner, receiver, and kick returner. He should beat out Dwayne Washington for a spot. Michael Burton comes in to replace Zach Line at fullback who retired earlier this year.
WR (6) – Michael Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Tre’Quan Smith, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Bennie Fowler, Deonte Harris
Thomas and Sanders will be the team’s main guys. Smith is entering his third season and the Saints are expecting him to break out this year. Humphrey has good size and was with the team last season. He should beat out Juwan Johnson and Marquez Callaway. Brees and Sanders advocated for Fowler and the Saints recently signed the 29-year-old veteran to a 1-year deal. Harris is the primary return specialist.
TE (3) – Jared Cook, Adam Trautman, Josh Hill
Cook will be the main option here. The Saints drafted Trautman in the third round and will see what he can do both as a receiver and a blocker. Hill provides depth, experience, and familiarity as he enters his eighth season with New Orleans.
OL (9) – Ryan Ramczyk, Terron Armstead, Erik McCoy, Andrus Peat, Cesar Ruiz, Calvin Throckmorton, Nick Easton, Will Clapp, Ethan Greenidge
Ramczyk and Armstead will be the starting tackles. First-round pick Ruiz will slot in at center moving McCoy to right guard while Peat mans the left side. Throckmorton and Greenidge provide depth at tackle. Easton and Clapp can both play either guard or center which gives the Saints excellent versatility along the offensive line.
DL (5) – David Onyemata, Sheldon Rankins, Mario Edwards, Malcom Brown, Shy Tuttle
Onyemata and Rankins should be the primary two defensive tackles. Brown and Edwards provide rotation depth and Edwards can also play the end. Tuttle is a solid young player and could see more time on the line if there is an injury or two.
EDGE (4) – Cameron Jordan, Marcus Davenport, Trey Hendrickson, Carl Granderson
Jordan doesn’t come off the field. Davenport and Hendrickson will rotate in with Davenport likely to play a bit more. Granderson provides depth and could see more time as a pass rush specialist if Davenport or Jordan gets hurt.
LB (6) – Demario Davis, Alex Anzalone, Kiko Alonso, Zack Baun, Craig Robertson, Kaden Elliss
Davis and Anzalone will be starters. The question is if Alonso will be ready for the regular season. The Saints put him on the PUP list while he recovers from a torn ACL. If he is not ready, New Orleans would likely turn to their rookie Baun. Robertson is a solid vet and a special teams leader. Elliss offers depth and a special teams presence as well.
CB (5) – Marshon Lattimore, Janoris Jenkins, P.J. Williams, J.T. Gray, Justin Hardee
Lattimore and Jenkins will man the outside. Williams could see time in the slot. Gray and Hardee are both on special teams and could see time on the field when the Saints go with five or six DBs.
SAF (5) – Marcus Williams, D.J. Swearinger, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Malcolm Jenkins, Saquan Hampton
Williams will be the starting free safety with Jenkins manning the strong safety spot. Gardner-Johnson will see time at both at safety and possibly in the slot. He has excellent versatility and the Saints may envision him taking Vonn Bell’s role as both a run-stopper and pass-rusher. Swearinger offers veteran depth and Hampton is a special teams player.
ST (3) – Thomas Morstead, Wil Lutz, Zach Wood
No surprises here. You are likely to see these same three players here for a few more years.
2020 Outlook
Most of the starters are back for 2020. The Saints will again have dreams of a Super Bowl Championship carrying them through the season. Another NFC South division title should be theirs for the taking. Although there is a guy named Tom Brady who is now throwing the ball in Tampa Bay. We will get to see two future Hall-of-Famers battle it out in the Big Easy to open the season on Sept. 13. That should set the tone for the season especially on defense.
The offense isn’t a concern. However, if the defense gets off to a slow start, it could mean some rough games as the Saints will face Brady twice, Aaron Rodgers, and Patrick Mahomes this season. If the vets on defense do their thing and young guys like Baun, Davenport, and CGJ can make an impact, the Saints will be vying for the number one seed come year’s end.
Season Prediction: 13-3 First seed in the NFC
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