New Orleans Saints Season Preview

Drew Brees remains one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL leading an offence that has been good for a decade. The defence has always been bad and if it does not improve the Saints will once again be on the outside looking in to the playoffs. In a division where the other three teams are playoff contenders no playoffs are likely meaning it may be Brees and Sean Payton's last season together.

Arrivals/Departures:

Arrivals: Rafael Bush, Chase Daniel, Ted Ginn, AJ Klein, Adrian Peterson, Manti T'eo, Larry Warford
Departures: Brandin Cooks, Tim Hightower, Jahri Evans, Tim Lelito, Jairus Byrd



Offence:

Drew Brees is still the face of the franchise and even though he is getting up there in age, Brees ranks among the best players in the game. Brees' smarts and passing are off the chart as he seems to make every throw rarely turning the ball over. The best running back of the generation Adrian Peterson joins the Saints and looks to add to an already dynamic rushing game. Mark Ingram will be the other main back after a career year with rookie Alvin Kamara getting snaps too since the Saints traded up to draft him. Fullback John Kuhn is still one of the best at the dying position and will also help the ground game.



Michael Thomas was so good as a rookie the Saints choose to trade Brandin Cooks to the Patriots so Thomas could become Brees' number one target. Willie Snead will also see more time as he has played good when given the chance as well as former Panther Ted Ginn who adds speed and a deep threat to the offence but drops too many balls. Brandon Coleman will be the other regularly used receiver but he will not start. Coby Fleener underperformed in his first season in a Saints uniform but will still be the starting tight end with Josh Hill backing him up. If Terron Armstead can stay healthy he protects the blindside as well as anyone but he struggles to play all the games. Veterans Max Unger and Zach Strief also stabilize a good offensive line that will try to keep Brees healthy as long as possible. The other starters will be Andrus Peat and Larry Warford with first round pick Ryan Ramczyk competing for time.

Defence:

The defence needs it young players they drafted to fit right in if they have any hope of even being an average defence to help Brees qualify for the playoffs. Cameron Jordan is the star of the defence playing on the defensive line getting to the quarterback causing sacks. Nick Fairley stopped the run at defensive tackle but he will miss the whole season with a heart condition meaning last years first round pick Sheldon Rankins and Tony McDaniel will be the tackles. Alex Okafor will be the other starter on the line at left end. The Saints may have the worst linebackers in the NFL with Stephone Anthony, Craig Robertson, Dannell Ellerbe, AJ Klein, Hau'oli Kikaha, and Manti Te'o competing for starting positions. Marshon Lattimore was their first round draft pick to be a shutdown cornerback and the Saints desperately need him to deliver in first season to improve the defence. Former Hamilton Tiger Cats corner from the CFL Delvin Breaux has been just OK in his NFL tenure, PJ Williams will get time at the nickel spot. The safety spots will be roamed by Kenny Vaccaro and Vonn Bell who are more run stoppers with rookie Marcus Williams and Rafael Bush providing depth.



Special Teams:

Will Lutz performed well as the kicker as a rookie earning the job back for what could be years if he continues to improve. Thomas Morstead is a decent punter that gets the job done and provides veteran experience. Ted Ginn comes over from the division rival Panthers to provide a good option as the returner and will compete with Marcus Murphy.

Starters:

Offence	Defence
Michael Thomas	Alex Okafor
Ted Ginn	Tony McDaniel
Willie Snead	Sheldon Rankins
Terron Armstead	Cameron Jordan
Andrus Peat	Stephone Anthony
Max Unger	Craig Robertson
Larry Warford	Dannell Ellerbe
Zach Strief	Delvin Breaux
Coby Fleener	Kenny Vaccaro
Drew Brees	Vonn  Bell
Adrian Peterson	Marshon Lattimore

2017 Draft:

11. Marshon Lattimore
32. Ryan Ramczyk
42. Marcus Williams
67. Alvin Kamara
76. Alex Anzalone
103. Trey Hendrickson
196. Al-Quadin Muhammad

Top 10 Players:

10. Andrus Peat

9. Marshon Lattimore

8. Willie Snead

7. Mark Ingram

6. Zach Strief

5. Terron Armstead

4. Michael Thomas



3. Adrian Peterson

2. Cameron Jordan

1. Drew Brees

Season Prediction: 7-9 (4th in NFC South)
Last Year: 7-9

Photo credit for Adrian Peterson goes to http://www.sportsnet.ca/. Drew Brees goes to http://foxpsorts.com/. Cameron Jordan goes to https://www.thescore.com/trending. Michael Thomas goes to http://www.espn.com/.