Since Drew Brees retirement, New Orleans just can’t find a way to take that next step, and have been stuck in purgatory. But can the Saints finally improve their play to the top of the division? Welcome back to another edition of ‘The Super Bowl Race In The Perspective of Chase’, and today we will preview the New Orleans Saints 2024 season.
2023 Season
The expectation was a division title going into 2023, as New Orleans had finally found a stable starting quarterback in Derek Carr. And even though it didn’t seem like it, Carr actually played decently last season. He threw for over 3800 yards on a 68% completion rate, while also posting his lowest turnover rate since his breakout 2016 campaign. In fact, he even posted his third highest passer rating of his career, ahead of his 2016 season where he finished 3rd in MVP voting. Running back Alvin Kamara was suspended for the first part of the season, playing only 13 games but still totaling over 1,000 yards of scrimmage for the seventh consecutive season. Chris Olave also had over 1100 yards receiving in his sophomore campaign. Defensively, Cameron Jordan disappointed with his worst season since his rookie year, but saw high level production from Demario Davis and Tyrann Mathieu. It doesn’t add up why this team won just nine games and missed the playoffs in 2023. But the blame has to go on head coach Dennis Allen, who I believe is going into a make-or-break season.
Offseason Additions and Losses
The Saints made one of the most impactful, under-the-radar moves of the offseason by signing edge rusher Chase Young to a one year deal in free agency. The former 2nd overall pick of the Washington Commanders has been productive from day one, though he faced injury problems in 2021 & 2022. He bounced back last year, totaling 7.5 sacks as a part of San Francisco’s NFC-winning defense. Though he only had 2.5 of his sacks in his nine games with San Fran compared to 5 in seven games with Washington. He should still bolster the pass rush nonetheless. That was the only headline move that New Orleans made in free agency. In the draft they took offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga at 14th overall and cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry at 41st, both are great picks but don’t exactly move the needle for New Orleans. A very quiet offseason from New Orleans this spring.
X-Factor: Kendre Miller
Not many people know about Miller and his game. I mean, he’s the third string running back on this team, behind Kamara and 2022 touchdown leader Jamaal Williams. But I expect Miller to get more playing time than you think. Kamara is getting older and has regressed slightly, and Williams barley got the ball last year and is nearing 30 years old. Miller will be the explosive runner this team will need. Last year he only played in eight games, and only got more than three carries in three of them. It wasn’t until the final week of the season where he shined, running 13 times for 73 yards and a touchdown. When he’s given the opportunity, his explosiveness and acceleration makes him a dynamic runner and a scary change of pace back. If Miller gets the opportunity, he could be a dangerous weapon.
Reason for Concern: Pass Catching Weapons Outside of Olave
Chris Olave is a great player, and he’s shown that with two great seasons to begin his career. He’ll continue to be a great weapon. But I’m not sure New Orleans has the pass catching talent outside of him. Rashid Shaheed showed some flashes, but is he ready to take on the role as the WR2? I’m not sure. And A.T Perry, a 6th round pick of 2023, is currently listed as the WR3 on the depth chart after not even 300 yards last year. And Juwan Johnson and Taysom Hill are fine options at tight end, but not the difference makers that can elevate this passing game. While Carr had a good year last year, he is only getting older and regressing by the season. And I feel he doesn’t have the talent to throw to that can elevate his game and New Orleans’ as a whole in 2024.
Reason for Promise: They Play in the NFC South
It sound silly, but it’s true. This team has weaknesses like every other team in the league. They’re about an average team that can be elevated with a spark. Sometimes that can be your explosive weapon, or a dominant quarterback game or a great game defensively. For New Orleans, it’s playing in the NFC South. Atlanta improved this offseason, but we’re still far from calling them the clear favorite to win the division. Tampa Bay was fine last year, but didn’t improve at all this year and has the potential to be really inconsistent, and the Carolina Panthers have so many problems to work out that they could be the worst team in the league for the second consecutive season. New Orleans can easily go 4-2 or 5-1 in divisional play. Then if all they need is to win five or six of their next eleven, the playoffs seem reachable.
Prediction
9-8. That’s what this team is. Since Brees has left, that’s been their identity. They have talented pieces, but Carr is not the answer at quarterback. And if anything the Saints have gotten worse, because Michael Thomas is not even on the team anymore, Cameron Jordan is not playing at the level he used to be at, and now they are reliant on breakout seasons from Miller and Shaheed. It’s just too complicated. They’ll play some competitive games, and may make the playoffs depending on the NFC competition. But they’re not going to do anything there, and I think they’ll learn this time next year how directionless they are.
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