The New Orleans Saints have a new head coach and have added players at key positions in free agency. What’s next in the Big Easy as the NFL Draft approaches?
The NFL is in peak offseason mode with free agency in full swing and the draft just around the corner in April. As the offseason heats up, we’re taking a look at the situation for all 32 teams around the league.
Here’s a check-in on the New Orleans Saints heading into draft season.
State of the Union
New Orleans hosted the Super Bowl last month, but the hometown team was left watching from the bars of Bourbon Street rather than taking the field.
The Saints looked like a potential powerhouse through the first two weeks of the 2024 season, posting 40+ points in dominant wins over the Panthers and Cowboys. For a brief moment in time, they had the makings of early contenders — until the nosedive began. New Orleans proceeded to lose seven straight contests amidst a slew of injuries, and while they briefly showed signs of life, they closed the season with an admirable four-game losing streak to secure a higher draft slot. The final outcome was a 5-12 campaign and the ninth-overall selection in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The most important part, though? There’s a new head coach at the helm of the franchise. Kellen Moore finally landed a much-deserved lead position and brings an impressive resume to a team which desperately needed an infusion of innovation on offense. Whether he’ll be successful in year one is yet to be determined, however, there’s no doubt the teams Moore served as offensive coordinator for put up some fantastic seasons on that side of the ball. Brandon Staley is also the Saints’ new defensive coordinator, and while his head coaching resume was sketchy, he’s not a bad hire.
The other biggest storyline in New Orleans is whether the franchise should still be looking to compete this season. With an aging roster, there’s an argument for either side, but it appears they may be gearing up for one last ride with the core as currently constructed. Derek Carr remains the starting quarterback (for now), and if anyone can create advantages for him via scheme, it’s Moore. They’ll grab some young talent in the draft with four picks in the top 100 selections and six total in the top 150. If things look bleak by midseason, watch for a potential sell-off of the veterans as the franchise embraces the looming rebuild and looks to take their QB of the future in 2026.
Free Agency Recap
New Orleans’ roster losses weren’t stars, though Paulson Adebo was a key cornerback who tallied 10 interceptions in 52 games for the Saints over his four seasons there. The tough part of the offseason is that their salary cap situation puts them in squarely in cap hell, but their moves through the early days of free agency have been solid. They restructured several big contracts, including Cameron Jordan’s, so keeping a franchise legend and key locker room guy around is certainly a plus.
They did retain two players coming off some of the best football of their careers in tight end Juwan Johnson and defensive end Chase Young, each signing three-year deals. The latter was rewarded after posting his best campaign since his rookie season with 31 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and three passes defensed — at just 25 years old, the former first-overall pick still has untapped potential.
As for new additions, two players stand out. 28-year-old safety Justin Reid agreed to a three-year contract and brings championship experience along with veteran savvy to a secondary in need of some help. The Saints also traded for defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, who brings a big body to the middle of the line and should provide run-stopping expertise. Did New Orleans get better? Yes, though probably not by a massive leap. It’s worth asking if the deals they handed out will be worth the salary cap pains, but as long as they play in a relatively weak NFC South, it makes sense they’d look to keep competing.
Losses:
- CB Paulson Adebo
- CB Will Harris
- DE Payton Turner
- WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Signings + Trades:
- TE Juwan Johnson
- EDGE Chase Young
- DT Davon Godchaux
- S Justin Reid
- C/G Will Clapp
- CB Isaac Yiadom
- TE Jack Stoll
- DT Nathan Sheperd
- LB Nephi Sewell
- WR Dante Pettis
Team Needs
Offensive Line: The Saints have several positions on the offensive line locked up between RG Cesar Ruiz, LG Taliese Fuaga, and C Erick McCoy. They do have a major hole at LG, though, which needs a long-term starter. They did reunite with Will Clapp, who previously spent four seasons with the team and started games at all three interior spots. However, it’s just a one-year deal, so taking a young player to develop for the future is still important.
Cornerback: The Adebo loss hurts, and while the Saints signed Isaac Yiadom in free agency, he’s probably not a great option as a starter. Finding another corner to play alongside Kool-Aid McKinstry and Alontae Taylor is a definite need and should be towards the top of the priority list.
EDGE: Brandon Staley loves a 3-4 scheme, though it’s uncertain whether the Saints will move to one. The Chase Young extension is nice but Cam Jordan is 36 and won’t be around forever. Whether it’s a true DE or an outside LB depending on scheme, adding reinforcements on the edge is crucial. In a deep EDGE class, it becomes a distinct possibility throughout the draft.
Wide Receiver: The Saints aren’t in dire straits where the receiver room is concerned, however, last season showed how close they are to a depleted group of pass catchers. Chris Olave was in and out of the lineup, while Rashid Shaheed missed most of the season following signs of a breakout early on. Injuries meant Bub Means and Marquez Valdez-Scantling took snaps as WR1, so they could use another legit option as both insurance and an extra weapon for the new staff.
Potential Picks
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan: Johnson is a big-time playmaker and brings championship experience with him from Michigan. He’s the second-best corner in this draft behind only Travis Hunter, but in most classes, Johnson would be the bona fide CB1. He’d be a great running mate along with McKinstry and Taylor and really shore up this young position group into a formidable bunch.
Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia: Walker is a gifted pass-rusher from a fantastic program. He led the Bulldogs with 5.0 sacks in 2023, then tied for the team lead last season with 10.5 in 14 games. With a Second-Team All-SEC nod and a Butkus Award under his belt, Walker has the pedigree to step in and immediately produce. With 60 tackles last year, he can stop the run, too.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona: Arguably the top receiver in this class, McMillan hauled in 84 balls for 1,314 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He measured in at 6-foot-4, 219 pounds at the Combine, but he brings fast-twitch athleticism despite the big frame. His route tree could use some work, but this is probably the most fun pick the Saints could make. Pairing him with Olave and Shaheed would undoubtedly bring a smile to Kellen Moore’s face.
