Saints Season In Review/Offseason to do list

By: Mike Rifkin

The 2021 New Orleans Saints finished the 2021 season with a record of 9-8 and just missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016. After the season head coach Sean Payton stepped down, Payton went 152-89 in 16 seasons as the head coach and did win a Super Bowl. Sean Payton and future Hall of Fame Quarterback Drew Brees both arrived in New Orleans in 2006 and spent 15 seasons together. After the 2020 season Drew Brees announced his retirement, and now Sean Payton has stepped down and it truly is the end of an era for the Saints. Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will take over as the head coach.

In 2021 there was a question of who would succeed Drew Brees for the Saints and the Saints signed a familiar face. Former number one overall pick Jameis Winston, somebody the Saints played when he was a member of the Buccaneers, was signed to a one year deal. Winston played ok with a 59.0 completion percentage 1,170 yards, 144 touchdowns and three interceptions. Winston was limited to seven games before he tore his ACL against his old team. They then tried Trevor Siemian, Taysom Hill, and Ian Book even got a start. Taysom Hill is best used as an offensive weapon then as a quarterback, Book and Siemian are not the answer. The Saints are one of the teams engaged with Texans for quarterback Deshaun Watson. 

The Saints do have one of the best running backs in the league in Alvin Kamara. Kamara had 898 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while adding 439 yards and five touchdowns receiving. Kamara was ok in 2021 but the inconsistent quarterback play and the limited amount of weapons really hampered him when he did play. After the Pro Bowl Kamara was arrested for Battery, so we will see what happens in regard to a suspension. Taysom Hill added 374 yards and five touchdowns rushing.

The Saints receiving group will get a boost with the return of Michael Thomas who missed all of 2021 with Ankle surgery. Prior to 2020 Thomas had three consecutive seasons with 100 plus catches and over 1,000 yards. In Thomas’s absence young players like Marquez Callaway and Deonte Harris stepped into bigger roles. Marquez Callaway led the Saints with 698 yards and six touchdowns last season. Tight Ends Adam Trautman and Juwan Johnson combined for 422 yards and six touchdowns. 

The Saints have one of the best defenses in the NFL. They were third in points allowed allowing 19.7 points per game and seventh in total defense giving up 318.2 yards per game. They were eighth in sacks with 46. Veteran Cam Jordan led the team with 12.5 sacks and former first round pick Marcus Davenport put up a career high nine sacks and forced three fumbles. They were also in the top 10 in turnover differential with a +7. Cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, CJ Gardner-Johnson, and P.J. Williams each had three interceptions. Safety Marcus Williams, who was third on the team in tackles, departed for Baltimore, but the Saints signed former Jet Marcus Maye to replace him. 

The Saints have restructured a lot of their contracts to get under the cap. Now as I mentioned earlier the Saints are one of the teams who are in on Deshaun Watson from the Texans, but what is plan B in case they don’t acquire him. For me that would be bringing back Jameis Winston. We have seen how the quarterback market has developed over the past week and depending on his health going with Jameis is probably the best option for the Saints if they cannot land Watson. Either way they are going to have to find a way to bring back left tackle Terron Armstead. 

Draft

RD 1 (15) Charles Cross OT – Mississippi State – If Armstead leaves that leaves a gaping hole, and Cross can fill in nicely. Names to watch : Malik Willis QB Liberty, Kenny Pickett QB Pittsburgh, Trevor Penning OT Northern Iowa

RD 2 (49) Isaiah Spiller RB Texas A&M : With some uncertainty around Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram getting older the Saints could use another running back. Spiller is a very effective runner who could help the Saints.

RD 3 ( 98) Bryan Cook Safety Cincinnati : Good safety who could benefit from a veteran like Malcolm Jenkins. Used to play corner so he can help in coverage and is a very good tackler.