The last time the New Orleans Saints were in the playoffs, Drew Brees was the quarterback and Sean Payton was the Head Coach. It's been three years of mediocrity since then. They missed the playoffs at 9-8 in Payton's final year and have a 16-18 record the past two years with Dennis Allen at the helm. He will be on the hot seat starting from Week One. Hopefully, the Saints' offense can click with Klint Kubiak taking over as offensive coordinator.
Kubiak isn't the only new coach for the Saints. They revamped their whole offensive coaching staff. There will be brand new coaches for the quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs, and offensive line. There are some new players in those positions as well. It will be interesting to see how all the new faces gel on offense. New Orleans was in the bottom half of the league in average yards per play, so the Saints are hoping a new look will get them to the postseason.
New Orleans had a few undrafted free agents make the team. Jordan Mims was undrafted in 2023 but suited up for just two games last season. Mason Tipton, out of Yale, made the squad despite an injury which shows how much the staff must love him. Matthew Hayball beat out incumbent Lou Hedley to win the starting punter gig. Every player will have a role in this new system, and it will be up to Kubiak to put them in spots where they can succeed. Derek Carr will need to adjust to the playbook, and the offensive line will have its work cut out for them (more on that later).
2024 New Orleans Saints Coaching Staff and Front Office
Head Coach: Dennis Allen
Offensive Coordinator: Klint Kubiak
Defensive Coordinator: Joe Woods
Special Teams Coordinator: Darren Rizzi
Other Notable Coaches: Andrew Janocko (QB Coach), Derrick Foster (RB Coach), Keith Williams (WR Coach), John Benton (OL Coach), Todd Grantham (DL Coach), Michael Hodges (LB Coach), Marcus Robertson (Secondary Coach)
GM: Mickey Loomis (The salary cap guru himself)
Free Agent Recap
Notable Additions: Chase Young (Edge), Olisaemeka Udoh (OT), Cedrick Wilson Jr. (WR), Willie Gay (LB)
Notable Losses: Michael Thomas (WR), James Hurst (OL), Marcus Maye (S), Malcolm Roach (DT)
Draft Recap
1 (14): OL Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
2 (41): CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
5 (150): QB Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
5 (170): WR Bub Means, Pittsburgh
5 (175): LB Jaylan Ford, Texas
6 (199): DL Kristian Boyd, Northern Iowa
7 (239): OL Josiah Ezirim, Eastern Kentucky
2023 Offensive Rankings
Pts/Gm: 23.6 (9)
Yds/Gm: 337.2 (14)
Pass Yds/Gm: 234.7 (11)
Rush Yds/Gm: 102.5 (21)
3rd Down Conv: 38.7% (15)
Pass Comp: 67%
2023 Defensive Rankings
Opp Pts/Gm: 19.2 (8)
Opp Yds/Gm: 327.2 (13)
Opp Yds/Play: 5.3 (t17)
Opp TD/Gm: 2.0 (10)
Opp Rush Yds/Gm: 119.9 (22)
Opp Pass Yds/Gm: 207.3 (10)
Improving the Offense
As mentioned earlier, the Saints need the offense to take a step forward this season. With Kubiak as the new offensive coordinator, comes a new scheme. The players have taken to it, and Derek Carr has expressed his satisfaction with how it allows him to play faster with his reads. The Saints have the talent to implement Kubiak's philosophy of outside zone runs and play-action passing. Alvin Kamara is still a dual threat even at 29 years old. Chris Olave can be elite and will look to improve on his 63 percent catch rate from last year. Rashid Shaheed will man the slot, and either A.T. Perry or Cedrick Wilson Jr. will need to step up opposite Olave. Of course, New Orleans has their favorite Swiss Army knife back in the building.
Somebody Get to the QB
The Saints' defense was good last year overall, as they were one of only nine teams to allow fewer than 20 points per game. They also had 29 takeaways, good enough for fourth in the NFL. However, there is one aspect of the game that they were horrible in, and that was getting to the quarterback. This unit was tied for 28th with 34 sacks, 29th in knockdowns with 38, and 28th in QB pressures with 118. Enter Chase Young. The Saints are hopeful that the former Defensive Rookie of the Year can set a new career high in sacks. He will also help take some double teams away from 35-year-old Cameron Jordan who had his worst season in 2023. New Orleans can be dangerous on defense if they can strike some fear into opposing quarterbacks.
X-Factor
The offensive line is the biggest question coming into this season is the offensive line. The Saints will be without Ryan Ramczyk for the season which means former first-round pick Trevor Penning will be at right tackle. This season will give him a chance to redeem himself after he lost his left tackle job last year. New Orleans will start rookie Taliese Fuaga at left tackle. Veteran Lucas Patrick will be at left guard as he was brought in to replace Andrus Peat. Erik McCoy and Cesar Ruiz will resume their positions at center and right guard respectively. The play of Penning and Fuaga will dictate how good this offense can be.
Saints Season Outlook
Record Ceiling: 12-5
Record Floor: 7-10
NFC South Finishing Position Prediction: 2nd (Wild Card Team)
Team MVP: Derek Carr
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