Roster And Draft Class Breakdown: New Orleans Saints

Noah K Murray, AP

The New Orleans Saints are in year two of the post Drew Brees era. Now they also have a new coach with Sean Payton stepping away. Dennis Allen becomes the new bench boss. They were mostly bargain hunting in free agency since they are tied against the cap. Will this work out? Let’s break it all down.

Defense

NOLA is going with the base 4-3 which starts with Cameron Jordan, Shy Tuttle, David Onyemata, and Marcus Davenport. They added DT Jordan Jackson in the sixth round from Air Force. The d-line is pretty deep, but he may be able to carve out a role for himself. Pete Werner, Demario Davis, and Zach Baun are the linebackers. Werner is in year two from Ohio State. Davis just signed an extension. Baun is now getting a chance to start and really contribute. In round five, D’Marco Jackson was added from Appalachian State. He had a great year in 2021 with 120 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, six sacks, and six passes defended. According to ESPN, he is the only player in the FBS to have those stats together in the 2000s. Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo are the corners. Adebo is entering his second year from Stanford. The Saints brought in some vets at safety in Marcus Maye, and Louisiana native Tyrann Mathieu. In the draft, another corner was selected. That would be second round pick Alontae Taylor from Tennessee. He has along reach with good press coverage skills.

Offense

Jameis Winston isn’t the answer at QB, but he’s still there. He got injured last year. Alvin Kamara is one of the best backs in the biz, but he may get suspended to start the season. Michael Thomas is back at the number one receiver. Jarvis Landry is coming home to work in the slot. There will be two Buckeyes at the top of the formation with the selection of Chris Olave in the first round. Watch out for Marquez Callaway as well. Adam Troutman is TE1 for now. Taysom Hill will be back in his do it all role. Adam Prentice is the fullback.

The offensive line is getting a little older which is probably why Terron Armstead was allowed to walk. That’s why Trevor Penning was also taken in the first round from Northern Iowa. He will start at left tackle soon enough. James Hurst is there for now along with Andrus Peat, Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, and Ryan Ramczyk who is already 28 years old. . . . wow.

Misses And Projection

The Saints only had five picks in the draft. Why not add more? Tight end is a little bit of a question mark since we have never seen Troutman in the starting role full time. We’ll get to see what the young fella can do. The Saints don’t have enough firepower to be in the mix this season.