Finally, we are on the doorstep of the 2023 football season, and after two frustratingly disappointing seasons, the New Orleans Saints and the Who Dat? Nation are looking forward to returning to elite status.
The Saints missed the postseason the past two years, after posting a 9-8 record in 2021 and sliding to 7-10 last year under first-year head coach Dennis Allen. In that time, the team has used five different starting quarterbacks — Andy Dalton, Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, Trevor Siemian, and Ian Book — tied for the most in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, and Washington Commanders. In March, New Orleans signed veteran signal caller Derek Carr, this off season’s top free-agent passer, to a four-year, $150 million deal, to bring some stability under center.
Saints Offense
With Drew Brees at quarterback, Saints fans grew accustomed to lighting up the scoreboard. In his 15 years leading the team, the Saints averaged 28.1 points per game. Last year, New Orleans averaged 19.4. Much of that can be attributed to the revolving door at the QB position. The Carr deal instantly gave the Saints more credibility and inserted them into the conversation of potential playoff teams.
After Carr’s addition, the next biggest stories involve five-time Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara and three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Michael Thomas.
In July, Kamara agreed to plead no contest to a misdemeanor charge of breach of peace after an altercation in Las Vegas during the 2022 Pro Bowl weekend. If found guilty, he could face a significant suspension for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy if found guilty. If that happens, look for the Saints to feature Jamaal Williams, who led the NFL with 17 rushing touchdowns last year, and rookie Kendre Miller, a third-round draft pick out of TCU who rushed for 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2022.
Thomas set the NFL world abuzz in 2019 when he set the NFL single-season catches record (149) and led the league with 1,725 receiving yards. Since then, injuries have limited him to just 10 games over the last three seasons, but Thomas said he’s “ready to go full speed, just like the old days and what everyone’s used to.” Paired with receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, who averaged 17.4 yards per catch last year, this trio could be regulars on highlight reels considering Carr’s ability to throw the deep ball.
Saints Defense
The Saints defense only gave up 20.3 points per game (ninth in the NFL) and could be poised to be a top 10 unit again. The team lost three-quarters of its defensive line when end Marcus Davenport signed with the Vikings, tackle David Onyemata moved to the Atlanta Falcons, and Shy Tuttle joined the Carolina Panthers. End Cameron Jordan will look to tackles Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders and end Carl Granderson to form a solid front line. Look for 2023 first-round pick DT Bryan Bresee to rotate into the line regularly. Linebacker Demario Davis will start in the middle, flanked by Zack Baun and Pete Werner. Don’t be surprised if the Saints re-sign Kwon Alexander to bolster the corps. It’s probably as odd to read this as it was to write it, but the secondary, led by safety Tyrann Mathieu and corner Marshon Lattimore, might be the best unit on this defense.
Last year, the Saints D kept teams from putting up big points, but the offense couldn’t manufacture enough points to win games. That shouldn’t be an issue this season.
NFC South
The Buccaneers won their second straight NFC South crown last year with an 8-9 record. The Saints, Panthers and Falcons finished 7-10, in a three-way tie for the worst record in the NFC South. With quarterback Tom Brady retiring, it’s doubtful Tampa will three-peat. The Bucs defense and wide receivers will be testy, but they will have either journeyman Baker Mayfield or second-year pro Kyle Trask under center. The Bucs had the worst rushing offense (76.9 rushing yards per game) in 2022 and didn’t do much to improve in the offseason.
Carolina made a splash by drafting quarterback Bryce Young with the top overall pick in this year’s draft and have already named him as the starter. He should face a steep learning curve. New head coach Frank Reich will lean on the Panthers’ defense to keep the team in games this year.
The Falcons seem to be taking a different approach with their offense by featuring the ground game (55.3% of their offense in 2022). Atlanta will feature running back Bijan Robinson, the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. QB Desmond Ridder started the last four games of last season and will look to tight end Kyle Pitts and receiver Drake London to balance the pass attack. The Falcons D finished 23rd in scoring defense in 2022, and overhauled the unit with a new coordinator and six new starters.
There’s been a lot of movement in the NFC South, and it will take time to see how each team settles. But this could be the Saints’ year to reclaim the division. It will be an interesting to see how it all shakes out.
Chris Price is an award-winning journalist and public relations principal. When he’s not writing, he’s avid about music, the outdoors, and Saints, Ole Miss and Chelsea football.
