The Saints should have the talent and experience on the roster to rebound from a disappointing finish last season.

 

Projected Starters

 

Offense

QB: Drew Brees

RB: Alvin Kamara

RB: Mark Ingram
WR: Michael Thomas
WR: Cameron Meredith
TE: Benjamin Watson
LT: Terron Armstead
LG: Andrus Peat
C: Max Unger
RG: Larry Warford
RT: Ryan Ramczyk

 

Defense

DE: Cameron Jordan
DT: Sheldon Rankins
DT: David Onyemata
DE: Alex Okafor
OLB: Alex Anzalone
MLB: Demario Davis
CB: Marshon Lattimore
CB: Ken Crawley

CB: Patrick Robinson
S: Marcus Williams
S: Kurt Coleman

 

Roster Notes/Thoughts

 

Notable depth

QB Tom Savage, QB Taysom Hill, QB J.T. Barrett, FB Zach Line, WR Ted Ginn, WR Tre’Quan Smith, WR Brandon Coleman, TE Josh Hill, TE Michael Hoomanawanui, G Jermon Bushrod, OT Rick Leonard, DE Marcus Davenport, OLB A.J. Klein, OLB Craig Robertson, MLB Manti Te’o, CB P.J. Williams, CB Delvin Breaux, S Vonn Bell

 

Biggest strength: Running back

Everyone knows what Offensive Rookie of the Year Alvin Kamara did last season when he took the league by storm, but he’s just half of New Orleans’ elite running back duo, and Mark Ingram might not get enough credit for how good he’s been in recent years. Last season, the 28-year-old set careers highs across the board with 230 carries for 1,124 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns to go along with 58 receptions for 416 yards. Look for the all-around backs to pickup where they left off as a tandem when Ingram returns from his four-game suspension.

 

Biggest weakness: Outside linebacker

The Saints should be improved as a whole at linebacker with Demario Davis in the middle, but outside, some combination of Alex Anzalone, A.J. Klein, and Craig Robertson will need to step up for the unit to build on their success in 2017. I think Anzalone will be the clear favorite for snaps in sub packages after an impressive start last year before a shoulder injury cut his rookie season short.

 

Position battle to watch: Quarterback

No, this isn’t a position battle at starting quarterback, as 39-year-old Drew Brees should be able to sleepwalk to another 4,300+ yards; instead, it’s for the backup job between veteran Tom Savage, undrafted rookie J.T. Barrett, and versatile incumbent Taysom Hill. Personally, I’m a Barrett believer, and he’s one of my top players to watch this summer, but Hill was heaped with praise last season and could be the quarterback of the future in New Orleans.

 

Early over/under: 8.5 (via Odds Shark)

Over. This seems like an easy pick, but will January’s playoff loss to the Vikings impact the Saints’ psyche? I think not because they are a veteran team, but I wouldn’t necessarily call the pick a slam dunk, especially considering Mark Ingram’s suspension and the fact that they traded up for a raw, high-upside talent in Marcus Davenport who might not pay immediate dividends.