The Saints largely bring the same team back in 2024, and they anticipate a strong finish leading to improvement under Dennis Allen. If you like the analysis here, consider signing up for our free newsletter to get can’t-miss NFL news and insights straight to your inbox every week.
- 2023 finish: 9-8 (second in NFC South); missed playoffs
- Over/under: 7.5 wins
Notable additions
WR Cedrick Wilson Jr., WR Equanimeous St. Brown, OL Oli Udoh, OL Tremayne Anchrum, OL Jesse Davis, G Lucas Patrick, G Shane Lemieux, DE Chase Young, LB Khaleke Hudson, DB Will Harris, OC Klint Kubiak
Notable losses
QB Jameis Winston, WR Michael Thomas, WR Keith Kirkwood, WR Lynn Bowden Jr., TE Jimmy Graham, OL Andrus Peat, OL James Hurst, OL Cameron Erving, G Max Garcia, DT Malcolm Roach, LB Zach Baun, CB Isaac Yiadom, CB Lonnie Johnson Jr., S Marcus Maye, OC Pete Carmichael Jr.
2024 draft class
OT Taliese Tuaga (1.14), CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (2.41), QB Spencer Rattler (5.150), WR Bub Means (5.170), LB Jaylan Ford (5.175), DT Khristian Boyd (6.199), Josiah Ezirim (7.239)
Projected starters
QB: Derek Carr
RB: Alvin Kamara
WR: Chris Olave
WR: Rashid Shaheed
TE: Taysom Hill
TE: Juwan Johnson
LT: Taliese Fuaga (R)
LG: Lucas Patrick
C: Erik McCoy
RG: Cesar Ruiz
RT: Trevor Penning
DE: Cameron Jordan
DT: Khalen Saunders
DT: Bryan Bresee
DE: Carl Granderson
LB: Demario Davis
LB: Pete Werner
CB: Marshon Lattimore
FS: Tyrann Mathieu
SS: Jordan Howden
SCB: Alontae Taylor
CB: Paulson Adebo
2024 outlook
New Orleans had a lot of close losses last year, and the veteran roster is running it back after coming up just short of an NFC South title in Derek Carr’s first year with the team. It’s fair to wonder if the franchise should have been more aggressive in pursuing a long-term answer at the position (the guy former head coach Sean Payton drafted comes to mind), but Carr seemed to find his groove with the pass-catchers by December—going 4-2 with a 15:3 touchdown-interception ratio over the final six games (with the two losses being to the Lions and Rams).
This year, the new system under Klint Kubiak will lead to more 11 personnel, so the team needs one of Cedrick Wilson Jr., A.T. Perry, Equanimeous St. Brown, or rookie Bub Means to step up alongside field-stretchers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Even with the scheme change, I’d expect the Saints to mix weapons in and out quite a bit (which they’ve done since the Payton era), and Taysom Hill is the most exciting player set to be unleashed with a more diverse role. Also, Jamaal Williams should see increased involvement behind Alvin Kamara, and Kendre Miller will hopefully stay healthy to create a three-man stable to attack opponents.
The defense will be counting on Chase Young (when healthy as he recovers from neck surgery) to provide juice across from Cameron Jordan, and 2023 first-round pick Bryan Bresee emerging as a starter would be great for the pass rush as a whole. The second level should again be in good shape with Demario Douglas and the recently extended Pete Werner, and the secondary remains extremely underrated with Paulson Adebo being an unheralded option across from Marshon Lattimore.
Position battle to watch: No. 3 cornerback
We thought Kool Aid-McKinstry was the best all-around cornerback in the 2024 class (Terrion Arnold was classified as a safety), so he was a terrific value with the No. 41 overall pick. The immediate fit in New Orleans isn’t clear, though, as Alontae Taylor is better equipped to play the slot—which might mean Marshon Lattimore or Paulson Adebo sees more action inside just to get McKinstry on the field in Year 1.
Breakout candidate: TE Taysom Hill
Turning 34 later this month, Hill is easily the oldest breakout candidate I’ll choose throughout the team previews. However, it’s an easy case to make for a player that could literally play all three of quarterback, running back (with increased usage there under Klint Kubiak), and tight end. The Saints have always been at their best when Hill is heavily involved, so maybe that will come to fruition on a consistent basis.
Circle on the calendar: Week 16 (@ GB) | Monday, December 23 – 8:15 PM ET
I actually believe there is a scenario where New Orleans completely falls off with an aging roster to put them out of contention by this point, but the more likely case is them at least being a fringe playoff candidate in December. If so, a trip to Green Bay on Christmas Eve Eve could be a matchup that not only decides their season, but also the fate of the current regime if ownership decides to finally hit the reset button in 2025.
Bottom line
The Saints are good enough to again compete in the NFC South, and a lot will be on Derek Carr’s arm and the veteran core to not decline. Like many other “middle-of-the-pack” teams, the question is whether they have what it takes to make a deep run in January.