For the past three seasons, the New Orleans Saints (9-8 in 2023) have been in a state of flux; they are neither excellent enough to qualify for the postseason nor poor enough to be selected highly enough to have a chance against the world’s Caleb Williamses or Aidan Hutchinsons.
And things don’t get much better for them this offseason either, as the team has the worst salary-cap scenario in the NFL, a few key players who need to be re-signed, and little to no chance of signing any of the top free agents in the class of 2024.
After two seasons as head coach, Dennis Allen is 16–18, and it seems likely that his seat will become hotter with each loss the Saints suffer the following season. Not that New Orleans is particularly good at anything; it finished the season ranked 14th overall, 21st in rushing offense, 13th overall in defense, 22nd in run defense, and 28th in sacks. Additionally, the team will be stuck with Derek Carr and his $35.7 million salary cap charge for at least another season.
What you should know about the off-season in New Orleans is as follows:
ESTIMATED 2024 CAP SPACE: -$81.9M (lowest in NFL history)
FREE AGENTS | Defensive linemen Lynn Bowden and Eno Benjamin; wide receivers Keith Kirkwood and Rashid Shaheed; tight end Jimmy Graham; offensive tackle Cameron Erving; outside linebackers Andrus Peat, Trai Turner, and Max Garcia
Defense: CBs Lonnie Johnson, Isaac Yiadom, Shemar Jean-Charles; LBs Ty Summers, Andrew Dowell, and Zack Baun; DT P.J. Mustipher; Safety Ugo Amadi
Prospects: Shaheed had a breakthrough season in 2023, sharing the team lead in touchdowns with five, coming in second in receiving yards (719) and third in targets (75) and receptions (46). The Saints cannot afford to lose Shaheed to the free market, given the uncertainty surrounding both Michael Thomas’ health and desire to remain in New Orleans. Peat and Garcia are also essential members of the offensive line for the club, and the Saints must hold onto them.
With a team-high 715 snaps at left tackle and just two sacks allowed, Peat was the starting left tackle for the team. Garcia mostly played left guard in a reserve capacity, although he also filled in at center and right guard. On 274 offensive snaps, he didn’t give up a sack and only gave up eight pressures. Yaidom, who gave up the lowest completion percentage (50) and the fewest yards (289) of any Saints CB this season, should also be retained by New Orleans.
2024 DRAFT PICKS: Round 1 (with a total of No. 14); Round 2 (through Denver); Rounds 5–6; Round 7 (through Denver)
TOP DRAFT NEEDS: Edge, OG, OT, DT, CB (in that order) — Everywhere on the roster, save at linebacker and receiver, the Saints have holes. They should select the best pass-rusher available at 14th overall, which is probably Dallas Turner of Alabama, Laiatu Latu at UCLA, or Jared Verse of Florida State.
A cornerback like Cooper DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell, or Nate Wiggins may also make sense to start right away if Yiadom left via free agency. Additionally, I wouldn’t rule out bolstering the offensive line with a tackle like J.C. Latham or a guard like Troy Fautanu of Washington either.
J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama; Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia; Jer’Zahn Newton, DT, Illinois; Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan; T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas; Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa; Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson; Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo are DRAFT PROSPECTS TO WATCH. Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama; Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA; Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State; Troy Fautanu, OG, Washington; Christian Haynes, OG, UConn; Christian Mahogany, OG, Boston College
THREE STORYLINES TO WATCH IN 2024:
Does Allen make it through the season?
Will Thomas and Alvin Kamara continue to play for this squad in the future?
Will the Saints lose any of their key players in the process of becoming cap-compliant?
