Roster Changes

 

Key additions

RB Latavius Murray, RB Javorius Allen, TE Jared Cook, OT Marshall Newhouse, C Nick Easton, DE Mario Edwards Jr., DT Malcom Brown, CB Marcus Sherels

 

Key losses

RB Mark Ingram, WR Tommylee Lewis, TE Benjamin Watson, TE Michael Hoomanawanui, OT Jermon Bushrod, C Max Unger, DE Alex Okafor, DT Tyeler Davison, MLB Manti Te’o, S Kurt Coleman

 

2019 draft class

C Erik McCoy (2.48), S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (4.105), S Saquan Hampton (6.177), TE Alize Mack (7.231), LB Kaden Elliss (7.244)

 

Projected Starters

 

Offense

QB: Drew Brees
RB: Alvin Kamara
RB: Latavius Murray
WR: Michael Thomas
WR: Ted Ginn
TE: Jared Cook
LT: Terron Armstead
LG: Andrus Peat
C: Nick Easton
RG: Larry Warford
RT: Ryan Ramczyk

 

Defense

DE: Cameron Jordan
DT: Sheldon Rankins
DT: Malcom Brown
DE: Marcus Davenport
OLB: Demario Davis
MLB: Alex Anzalone
OLB: A.J. Klein
CB: Marcus Lattimore
CB: Eli Apple
S: Marcus Williams
S: Vonn Bell

 

Team Outlook

 

Notable depth

QB Teddy Bridgewater, QB Taysom Hill, RB Javorius Allen, FB Zach Line, WR Tre’Quan Smith, WR Keith Kirkwood, WR Austin Carr, WR Cameron Meredith, TE Josh Hill, TE Dan Arnold, TE Alize Mack, OT Marshall Newhouse, C Erik McCoy, DE Trey Hendrickson, DE Mario Edwards Jr., DT David Onyemata, DT Taylor Stallworth, OLB Craig Robertson, CB Patrick Robinson, CB Ken Crawley, CB P.J. Williams, CB Marcus Sherels, S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S Saquan Hampton

 

Biggest strength: Running back

Drew Brees is one of the best quarterbacks of all-time and Michael Thomas will probably catch another 100 balls in his sleep this year, but Alvin Kamara is the engine that makes Sean Payton’s offense go. Also, while the Saints lost Mark Ingram in free agency, I’m not sure Latavius Murray is even a downgrade, as the 29-year-old is arguably the best goal-line back in the league, which makes him the perfect complement to Kamara. There might not be a better one-two punch in the game.

 

Biggest weakness: Linebacker

I wouldn’t necessarily call the linebackers a weakness for New Orleans, but assuming Eli Apple is able to provide solid play at the No. 2 cornerback spot, they are probably less of a strength compared to other positions. Demario Davis is the best of the bunch right now, but Alex Anzalone will look to make a Year 3 leap, and A.J. Klein is still just 28 (in July) and coming off perhaps his best season.

 

Position battle to watch: Center

I have Nick Easton slotted in as the starter considering the team signed him to a four-year, $24-million contract this offseason, but would they sit No. 48 overall pick Erik McCoy as their first selection in the 2019 NFL Draft? Easton’s deal is light on guarantees, so we will probably see a straight-up competition at the pivot, and the Saints will hope it’s a good problem to have.

 

One more thought

New Orleans rebounded from the “Minneapolis Miracle” by reaching the NFC Championship last season, but how will they respond to their controversial loss to the Rams that resulted in playoff heartbreak for the second year in a row? The missed pass interference call was clearly awful (though it didn’t look as blatant watching the play live), but a) it’s unfair to assume a made field goal, and b) the Saints had the ball in overtime with a chance to win. We’ll see if the confident roster is ready to contend again after a tough opening month (v HOU, @ LAR, @ SEA, v DAL).

 

Early over/under: 10.5 wins (via CBS Sports)

Under. This is close, but the rest of the division improved this offseason, and Drew Brees—who despite a 32:5 touchdown-interception ratio showed slight signs of decline last year—turned 40 in January. I would peg the Saints at 10-6 if I had to predict their record three months out from the start of the season.