By: Courtney Burrows

The New Orleans Saints had a rough 2021 season riddled with injuries, then Head Coach Sean Payton retired, and star RB Kamara got into a fight in Vegas and has charges pending.  Needless to say, it has been tough, but I look to new Coach Allen and the 2022 draft to turn things around a rebuild his image.  I for one am excited as NO resigned Winston for another two years, as he knows the system, the locker room, and the coach, and he was proving his worth at 5-2 when he got hurt.  The Saints and the Eagles had a monster pick trade to upgrade us to TWO 1^st round picks. With that said, I’m going to outline a Saints mock draft in April! Let’s begin.

Round One-Pick 16- Matt Corral, QB Ole Miss

If anyone knows me and reads my articles, they know I love the Saints and Ole Miss, so I might be biased here, but he fits well!  At 6’1” and 205lbs, he is not the tallest, but neither was Brees.  The difference is Corral can run and run he does.  He calls plays at the line of scrimmage confidently and when he scrambles, his throws are not as accurate, but they still deliver. His lightning-fast release and pinpoint throws to receivers down the stretch extend the plays and allows wide outs to get yards after the catch.  He also is a leader on and off the field, and the Saints could use more of that in the coming rebuilding seasons.  I would like to see him sit one season and start next year, to bulk up some and adapt to NFL hits, pressure, and play style.  Corral finished his 2021 season with 3,343 passing yards, 614 rushing, and 31 touchdowns.  His arm strength alone makes him a first rounder, but what really makes him special is his mobility, mindset, perseverance, and leadership.  After the Eagles and the Saints trade, I still feel like they are moving up to draft a QB as there are numerous needy teams and not too many caliber QBs in this draft.  Having two 1^st round picks means QB and WR, no doubt!

Round One-Pick 19 Chris Olave, WR Ohio State

Why not give Michael Thomas a complement in the form of one Ohio State wideout to another?  Thomas was a former 2^nd round pick out of Ohio State, and I project Garrett Wilson (Ohio State) going before his teammate, which leaves the door open for Olave to become a Saint!  At 6’0”, and 197lbs, he isn’t the biggest WR in the draft, but he makes up for that in speed, route-running versatility, and ability to burn defenders for yards after the catch.  He could be Winston’s shifty player while Thomas is the #1.  As Winston looked to Callaway last year in the back of the endzone, it would be Olave now open deep, with sticky hand and vertical leap to destroy the red zone.  I love this potential, and now with two 1^st round picks, this all makes sense allowing the Saints to compete out of the gates under Coach Allen.  I do hope he bulks up some to be more physical in the NFL. **If he is already off the boards, this pick must be a WR.  We cannot pass up talent this early. **

Round Two-Pick 49 Kenneth Walker III, RB Michigan State

Let’s address the elephant in the room”¦running back, and more importantly the legal troubles of our star Kamara.  The trial has been postponed till late April, but felony charges aren’t something to joke about.  That being said, Kamara is 26 and though I feel he still has a few years left, we need more than Ingram and Jones backing him up in case.  If we are lucky enough to snag top prospect Walker here, I am all for it!  He was second in the FBS last season with 1,636 rushing yards and was a powerful, consistent back.  Walker is a quick cut machine that makes defenders miss.  He reminds me so much of Kamara how he runs with purpose and pushes forward with attitude.  Walker is not the most decorated receiving back in the draft, but he is talented and that could be utilized learning with Kamara and becoming a two-headed monster behind our line of scrimmage.  If Kamara has to sit a few games, Ingram and Walker would fill in nicely as well.  This is definitely a wish-list type of pick.  The Saints might wait a round or two for RB, but they need to capitalize on youth now especially with the unknown of Kamara. 

Round Three-Pick 98 Max Mitchell, OT LA-Lafayette

I would love for Coach Allen and the Saints front office to stay local and take a shot on this 6’6”, 299lbs tackle originally from Monroe, Louisiana. Starting as a sophomore after seeing some action as a freshman, he took 2701 collegiate snaps.  He is agile, quick off the line, and moves seamlessly both forwards, backward, and laterally.  One of his weaknesses is his bulk, he needs to add more muscle to be able to defend the pocket and not let it collapse, though he is great at reading defenders.  His senior year, he allowed only three sacks and total career, five.  That is a staggering low number, which just shows his consistency, dedication, and determination.  Watch some Ragin Cajun game tape, he is always present, rarely on his back, and a force to see on the line.   With the recent resigning to 1 year of OT Ethan Greenidge, the Saints still need OL depth and help with protecting the offensive playmakers, and Mitchell fills all of that. 

Round Three-Pick 101-Bryan Cook, S Cincinnati

With the free agency release of S Marcus Williams and recent signing of Daniel Sorenson, we still need young, eager safety depth.  This is where new Coach Allen gets to put him stamp on his defense.  Cook is 6’1”, 208lbs. and is strong, solid, and quick bursting into plays.  He is versatile and a real student of the game, which I think Coach Allen will love to mold further.  He watches the QB and tracks the ball all over the field.  His last season with the Bearcats, he recorded 96 tackles, two interceptions, and nine deflections, which earned him 1^st year All-Acc selection.  Cook is a little too “upright” when making open field tackles and needs to be more centered and drive receivers down for zero yards after the catch.  He will be a great addition to our defense who can learn from Sorenson and fill in as needed moving into a starting role next season. 

Round Four-Pick 120- Cole Turner, TE Nevada

Despite, Coach Allen reporting that Hill will “shift back into the TE position” he is 31 and has never really played an entire season as a tight end.  He takes multiple hits and runs with such force, that eventually his body will break down.  We saw it last season, as he battled injuries.  So, are you telling me he is now our starting TE?  Wrong, the Saints need young talent that can be further developed.  That is where Wolfpack Senior Turner comes into play.  This kid is big at 6’6” and 246lbs.  Athletic and flexible for his larger frame, he contests the ball in the air and comes down with it bulldozing his way into the endzone.  He started his collegiate career as a WR before moving into tight end, so transitioning him into the WR3/TE role would be a perfect fit for the Saints.  Turner is a later round sleeper pick who is rough around the edges, but has great potential.  Coach Allen’s specialty is defense, so he can help better his run blocking and bulk up in his lower body to become even better off the line.  Turner has the ability to become a starting in the NFL given the right fit, and with Trautman as his only young competition on the team, I like his outlook!

These might be far-fetched picks for some, but for the first time in a long time, the Saints need to focus on rebuilding the offense! Last year I went 2/4 in picks. I am shooting for more this year so stay tuned and good luck to all your favorite teams in the draft. Only 29 more days, but hey who’s counting. WHO DAT!!!! Follow me at @luvtractor3 all season long.

The post New Orleans Saints mock draft 2022 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

Odell Beckham Jr. hasn’t quite found his true home in the National Football League. OBJ reached the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons, but he’s actually failed to return to the Pro Bowl since he found the door in his early New York Giants tenure. The polarizing 29-year-old may not have the same All-Star capability or intrigue that he once had, but he’s still a Top 8 WR that will be looking for a new home in free agency this offseason. 

It’s not clear if the Rams bold head coach Sean McVay will work out a contract for the savvy wideout to return, but it’s certainly a comfortable fit and potential option for OBJ in 2022. Although, I do believe that the Rams plan was to rent the former Browns playmaker, and it won’t be the best route for both sides when the free agency period kicks off. In particular, the Rams have many young studs who will need to be handed a golden ark in the next couple of years. With that said, I truly believe that the most appropriate road for OBJ to take is one that he’s been on before. 

From my perspective, I believe that OBJ and New Orleans are a match made in heaven. It also helps that there’s an emotional bonus for OBJ to return to the city where he played in college (LSU). 

There is no secret that OBJ has praised Sean Payton’s WR-friendly system and that he would love to return to the Big Easy at the same time. Matter, in fact, the Rams popular WR was almost a Saint as Sean Payton tried to lure him in when he was cut by the Browns. The Saints were a heavy favorite, but he ultimately chose to take the shiny and safe pick with the LA Rams. 

One of the big reasons why the Saints weren’t deemed attractive enough to ink OBJ was the fact that Jameis Winston was out for the season when OBJ was a free agent. It might have been smart that OBJ (just like Drew Brees) opted to stay away from the Saints aching offensive attack. Still, it’s a straight-up fact that the Saints will look to resign Winston or make a move for the likes of Russell Wilson come this offseason. 

Sean Payton has been aggressive with OBJ numerous times (first at the draft) and he’s made an effort to sign big-name free agents in the past like Josh Norman, Jadeveon Clowney, and Jarius Byrd (sigh). Payton knows that OBJ will likely be the best short-term fit at their badly needed WR position. Michael Thomas’s future also seems as uncertain as it ever has been, as he’s had injury issues and off-the-field problems. If Thomas isn’t in the building, It would seem almost obvious that the Saints would heavily target OBJ on a short-term deal and not overpay for a long-term contract with the likes of Michael Gallup.

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By: Courtney Burrows

Week 1 is in the books and what a wild one it was to start off the 2021-22 NFL season.  There have been many off-season stories that have left us scratching our heads and others that have us jumping in anticipation.  (Or wait, is it only me jumping!)  All I can say is Week 1 delivered highs and lows for me and others in the fantasy community, and I am very happy that football is back. There were crazy games and players who shined and crashed, but the best game in my opinion of the week was New Orleans Saints versus Green Bay where the Saints came marching in and roasted the Packers 38-3.

                The Packers came to Jacksonville to play the Saints who were displaced by Hurricane Ida. The Saints were led by QB Jameis Winston who won the starting job from Taysom Hill in the pre-season. This was the first game the team played without their leader Drew Brees under center. No one knew what to expect or what to feel, but this die-hard Saints fan knew Winston would be our guy and have been rooting for him. 

In Winston’s last season with the Bucs, he threw for 5,109 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 30 interceptions. He was released by the team, and no one wanted to give the once 1^st round draft pick a starting chance. So, he became the 3rd string behind Brees and under Coach Payton’s regime and began to study quietly with his head down, determined, and focused. This is a new Winston under center, a leader in the locker room determined to prove he is the right QB to once again lead a team, and prove he did in Jacksonville Saturday afternoon.

                The Saints defensive attack led by Zack Baun who had five tackles made Rodgers scramble and throw erratically which is not the steady hand we are used to seeing.  Rodgers ended with two interceptions, 15 completions on 28 attempts, and a passer rating of 36.8%.  He could not get anything done in the red zone with his star wideout Adams and star RB Jones was unable to go anywhere on the ground.  The Saints defense came to play, and with them making stop upon the stop, the offensive had ample opportunity to carve up plays. The time of possession was almost a full 10 minutes over the Pack.  Kamara led the rushing attack with 83 out of 171 total yards. Winston only had 148 yards in the air, but they were calculated and precise with zero interceptions, five total touchdowns to four different receivers, and a passer rating of 130.8%. The most surprising was 2^nd year TE Juwan Johnson he hauled in two touchdowns and will be another hot wavier wire this week. Though fellow TE Trautman led the team in targets, Johnson is only owned in 1.8% of ESPN leagues. 

The one injury of note is star pass-rusher Marcus Davenport, who ended Sunday with three tackles and one sack, underwent an MRI to see the extent of an apparent pectoral muscle injury which was deemed a strain not a tear.  This is fantastic news for the defensive as he should return sooner than later.  In the meantime, Carl Granderson and rookie Payton Turner will have to step up in a big way. 

For a guy that no one had much faith in besides the WHODAT nation, Winston did well and proved many doubters wrong.  He and the Saints decimated and embarrassed the Packers in the Sunshine State.  It won’t be a walk in the park in every contest for the Saints, but this is a confidence builder. All the parts fit together to make one cohesive, strong unified team under one of the best coaches in the game today. I am proud of Winston and his character today. I look forward to this season, and can’t wait for Sunday Funday.

#WHODAT

Find me on twitter at luvtractor3 for any questions and just for everyday football fun. 

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By: Thomas Cunningham

Okay, football fans, as week one of the 2021 NFL season has officially closed, it is time to reflect on those teams that were let down this past weekend. As teams do every year, there were many big-name signings, even bigger contract extensions made, and some future pillars of rosters drafted.

However, let’s first just all be thankful that football is officially back, regardless of the outcome of your team’s game. It is the time of year where you are wearing your favorite jersey, on the edge of your seat, just waiting for that next big play to be made. Speaking of big plays, as the title of this article suggests, we will break down some well-overhyped teams leading into week one that did not live up to expectations.

Now, some may find this list subjective or unfair due to it being the only week one, but the next few teams listed not only had fan base hype but national media hype and did not come close to living up to either expectation. So let’s get into shall we?

“America’s Team” could not pull out the win.

That’s right, folks; the Dallas Cowboys were on out in full scale during their Thursday night matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Cowboys have had a lot of hype coming out of training camp about their condition, how well wide receiver Ceedee Lamb and running back Ezekiel Elliot looked, and how improved their defense will be coming into this season.

Well, to say the least, “Dem Boys” will always be just “Dem Boyz.” Last year, putting points on the board was not the Cowboys’ problem; it was keeping opposing teams off the scoreboard that was ultimately Dallas’ downfall. Fast forward to this season, and that trend seems to have continued along with multiple stalled red zone drives after having multiple takeaways from an otherwise unprepared and injured Buccaneers team.

The good news for Cowboys fans is that quarterback Dak Prescott did have an impressive first outing, with over 400 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. However, just like the past few seasons, it looks like Prescott is once again left out on an island to defend himself. It truly seems that Dallas has picked up right where they left off last year.

Did “Who Dat” actually put the league on notice?

This past Sunday, the New Orleans Saints absolutely embarrassed the Green Bay Packers, winning handily 38-3. With such a dominant win, the thought would be that the Saints mean business this season; however, you have to place this game into context. Though Jamis Winston threw five touchdowns, he only threw for 148 yards. This game actually belongs to the Saints’ defense, which helped put their offense in great field position. It also has to be put into the minds of everyone; the Packers absolutely gave up in that game, especially on offense. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is regarded as one of the best QB’s of all time, looked as sloppy and uncaring as one player could.

This only made the Saints’ life easier as the game went on, especially after the Packers’ defense was completely gassed. The Saints will make some noise this season, but ultimately this “high powered” offense will lose steam, especially when they start facing top defenses.

We have all seen this from the Las Vegas Raiders before

Okay, sports fans, if this story sounds familiar, it’s because it is. The Raiders had a lot of hype surrounding them last season because they were able to beat teams like the Kansas City Cheifs and New Orleans Saints, but did all of this to only go 8 and 8 on the season and also lose to teams like the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots

The hype begins again after their victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Now the victory was earned, even if the Ravens fell flat on their face. However, it has to be said that as the season continues, the Raiders will seemingly fall into a similar pattern as last year, especially with their faith in Derek Carr possibly wavering.

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By: Adam Hulse (@AdamHulseSports)

Sean Payton is one of the best play-callers in NFL history for his effectiveness, creativity, and adaptability. His sustained success and many examples of designing an effective offense put him right in the mix with some of the legendary offensive minds like Bill Walsh and Air Coryell. Payton has been revolutionary with his schemes and has consistently had one of the top offenses in the NFL for his entire 15-year career as the head coach and play caller for the New Orleans Saints. His genius offensive mind is a big reason why he has an extremely impressive .631 career winning percentage.

Sustained Success

Payton has been the head coach of the New Orleans Saints since 2006 and has been the offensive play caller the entire time. His innovative designs and schemes have been the main reason why the Saints offense has consistently ranked towards the top of the NFL every season. In order from 2006 through 2020 their offense has ranked 1st, 4th, 1st, 1st, 6th, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 1st, 2nd, 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, and 12th. That is an insanely consistent and impressive run that really speaks for itself. Besides being ranked 1st overall in offense for 6 of the 15 seasons, they have also never been outside of the top half including being in the top 10 in 14 seasons and the top 5 in 11 of them.

Maximizing Potential

One of the signatures to the success of Payton has been his ability to get the most out of the weapons that he has available to him. What makes him such an offensive genius is the fact that he can design an offense around the strengths of his roster rather than trying to get his players to fit his scheme. This is where he has been able to show off his creativity by designing a new offense not just from year to year, but sometimes even from week to week when necessary.

One of the many gifts Payton has been getting the most out of his players. He has been great at maximizing the potential out of the players available to him. The most recent example of this has been the unique ways that he has been able to utilize Taysom Hill. He has lined him up everywhere including quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, and even special teams. Over the last three seasons, Hill has accumulated 22 touchdowns including 4 passing, 11 rushing, and 7 receiving.

Hill is an extremely unique talent and the type of player that can’t just be plugged into any offense and be effective. Payton has masterfully unlocked his potential into a solid contributor by specifically designing plays to fit his skillset. It’s highly unlikely that many other coaches, if any, would have been able to do that considering Hill was mostly viewed as a bust until Payton transformed him into what he is today. There have been other examples of this concept as well.

Darren Sproles is another player who Payton made into the best version of himself. Sproles spent 14 solid years in the NFL spread out between the Chargers, Saints, and Eagles but his 3 seasons with Payton in New Orleans was by far the best stretch of his career. His 3 best receiving seasons of his career were the 3 years he spent with the Saints from 2011 to 2013 when he recorded receiving yard totals of 710, 667, and 604 respectively. His career high in rushing yards of 603 also came in 2011 and 21 of his 55 career offensive touchdowns came during that 3 year stay in New Orleans. Payton is a master of maximizing potential and Sproles is an excellent example of that.

New Opportunity

Now that Drew Brees has retired, for the first time in his head coaching career Payton will enter the 2021 NFL season with a new starting quarterback. Those big shoes will be filled by either Taysom Hill or Jameis Winston. Brees is of course a legend of the NFL and will easily be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, so it is going to be very interesting to see the brand new offensive design by Payton without him. He does have strong weapons to work with, such as superstars Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas, so this is a new opportunity for his creativity to shine once again. If Payton was to lose one of the best quarterbacks of all time this season, but still come up with one of the best offense in the league as he always has, it would just further solidify the fact that he is one of the greatest offensive minds in NFL history.

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By: Reese Nasser

New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill has had an interesting career up to this point. He has been an anomaly on the football field, not being stuck in the mold of any one particular position. He has spent time all over the field, from quarterback and tight end to special teams standout. 

Until the 2020 season, Hill had never been really utilized as a quarterback. Over two seasons he threw 13 passes for just over 100 yards. Over those same two seasons, he was utilized in more of a running role. He had 64 carries and 352 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. 

Hill hit his stride this past season. The 30-year old stepped into a true quarterback role for part of the season. In the four games that Hill started, the Saints went 3-1. Hill played well in his four starts, throwing four touchdowns and adding another four on the ground. He finished the season with 13 touchdowns and 1438 yards from scrimmage. 

After the end of the 2020 season and the retirement of longtime quarterback Drew Brees, the Saints restructured Hill’s contract. 

The deal could lock Hill in with the Saints for some time, or they could be out of it at the end of the season. The Saints could find themselves in an odd situation with Hill, especially when looking at how they can get themselves out of his contract. 

At nearly 31-years old, it is hard to envision Hill as the future quarterback of this team. The Saints also have a six-year veteran and former number one pick, Jameis Winston. It is assumed that Winston will be the QB1 heading into this upcoming season. A decision that puts Hill as the number one would shock the NFL. 

New Orleans also added Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book in the fourth round of this year’s draft. Book could be the eventual long-term quarterback for the Saints but won’t be ready to go in his rookie season. 

With the quarterback situation in New Orleans, it begs to ask the question of what should the Saints do with Taysom Hill? After showing that he can play the quarterback position at an at least average level, should they trade him? Or, do they keep him as a backup to be there in case Winston struggles in his role? Both options are possible and the Saints could entertain the idea of a trade. Let’s take a look at both options. 

Why Hill could be traded

Hill could be the perfect option for a team that loses their QB1. Unexpected injuries happen every season and not every team has a backup that can step up and still win them games. That is where Hill could step in and play a role. 

Hill’s duality on the field could make teams want to add him to their roster as well. His impact on the field could help teams expand their offensive game plans, much like New Orleans has been able to do up to this point. He could expand a team’s run game and influence things all over the offensive side of the ball. He could an impressive TE2 and a dual-threat QB on a team that wants more explosion out of the backfield. Teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers would make intriguing landing spots.

Why the Saints could keep Hill

The Saints quarterback room outside of Winston and Hill is one of the weakest in the NFL. As previously noted, rookie quarterback Ian Book will more than likely be brought along slowly. The fourth quarterback on the roster is Trevor Siemian. Siemian has had difficulties in the NFL and the Saints may see him as the backup they would like to have. 

At 30 years old, New Orleans may not get a return in a trade that makes it worth it to move Hill, especially with the role that he plays for the team. He will be 31 by the time the regular season starts and it could make sense for both sides for Hill to just stay with the Saints. 

After weighing both options, the Saints would be better off having Hill on their roster. He is a proven security blanket, a player that can step in when called upon, which he proved that last season. Most teams would like to have a player with his talent on their roster, and the Saints could make a big mistake by moving him. There is also an inspirational factor in which many Saints fans adhere to his underdog story.

The post Should the Saints consider trading Taysom Hill? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jeremy Trottier

The New Orleans Saints have had a relatively interesting offseason, between clearing cap space by cutting players, to extending Ryan Ramczyk, to their draft prospects.  With that said, one of the positions on the defense that is most solidified right now is defensive end, between Cam Jordan, Marcus Davenport, and Payton Turner as the top rotation.  In this article, I will be going over each of these three players, as we could see a duo of any mix of them, as well as what they contribute to this unit as a whole.

Cam Jordan

The veteran of the group, Cam Jordan, is going into his 11^th season of his career, and has not had a season of under 7.5 sacks since his rookie year.  Despite having a relatively quiet year last season on the stat sheet, his productivity as a player cannot be understated, as he caused a lot of QB pressures, hurries, and hits.  He had 16 QB hits, 26 pressures, and 8 QB knockdowns.  He also took some of the pressure off Trey Hendrickson, as he would often take on two offensive linemen at once which freed up the rest of the line to provide pressure.

Cam Jordan will be vital in teaching the other two edge rushers we are looking at in the article today, as he has a huge deal of experience in the league.  He also says he is feeling, “more rejuvenated than ever” ahead of the 2021-2022 season, which is a huge deal as his mentality is another thing he brings to the roster.  He is the “hype man” of the front four for New Orleans and having him believing in himself that he is the best he has ever been is great news. 

Payton Turner

The Saints 2021 first round pick from Houston, Payton Turner, is one of the more interesting prospects from this draft class.  He fits exactly what the Saints are looking for with players, fantastic physical profile who can produce at multiple positions, hence why they drafted him so early.  At 6’6” 268 pounds, with an 83 inch wingspan and 10.5 inch hands, he has a very good frame for the Saints to build off of, and teach him the nuances of NFL level defensive line.  

One of the most impressive things to note is Payton Turner outperformed himself statistically in 2020 in a lot of categories”¦but Houston only played less than half the games they normally do due to Covid (five games).  He had 10.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, a forced fumble, and 25 total tackles.  This is an absolutely phenomenal statline for so few games played, and shows Turner has the capability to produce due to his athletic traits.

Marcus Davenport

Another Saints first round pick, but in 2018, we wrap the list up with Marcus Davenport.  Another DE with a fantastic frame at 6’6” 265 pounds, and is still only 24 years of age, 25 by the start of the 2021-2022 season.  The main issue Davenport has to date is injuries, it seems like every time he really starts to produce he goes down and we do not see him again for awhile.  Just to list off his injuries since his draft year, here they are:

• 2018 ”“ Thumb fracture, had surgery prior to season, no games missed
• 2018 ”“ Toe sprain on right foot, 3 games missed
• 2019 ”“ Foot fracture (Lisfranc fracture), season ending surgery after week 14
• 2020 ”“ Elbow bruising, missed three games and practices prior to season
• 2020 ”“ Pedal toe sprain ”“ missed week 4 

However, when he is not injured he has been an absolute monster in the games he started.  In 2019 when he started 13 games, he had 6 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 16 QB hits, 17 pressures, 6 QB knockdowns, and 9 hurries.  If he starts this season or even splits with Payton Turner, and if he stays healthy, he will most definitely contribute to this front-seven without a doubt.  

The post Why the Saints could have the best edge rushing rotation in the NFL appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Courtney Burrows

The New Orleans Saints held mandatory training camp June 15-17 and already there is buzz amidst the rookies and the veterans. Obviously, the biggest story coming out of training camp that everyone wants to know is who will start under center come fall.  Everyone knows that Taysom Hill replaced injured Brees after Week 10 and preformed well. Coach Payton likes him and his versatility on the field as a mobile QB with great arm and leg strength.  Hill helped the team when most it was most needed, but does he have the perseverance and execution to lead the team all season? The main issue is that Jameis Winston has real time starting QB experience, and has guided a team and locker room.  Though Winston is known for his turnovers in his last season with the Buccaneers, he also led the league in passing yards and 33 touchdowns.  Winston is known for his deep passing skills and after spending a year under Brees and Coach Payton’s direction, I truly believe he is the best to lead the team going forward.  Google Winston today, and you will find training video after video.  He is trying to prove to himself and the Saints, but I believe he is ready and the right choice. 

The biggest question is who besides Michael Thomas will catch those deep shots?  With the departure of Emmanuel Sanders to Buffalo, there hasn’t been much coming out of the Big Easy pointing us to who will step up.  Will it be second year, undrafted Marquez Callaway, or Tre’Quan Smith as Deonte Harris will most likely be WR#4 and continue to thrive on special teams.   Smith has the foot speed and long arms to be on the receiving end of Winston’s ringers thrown towards the end zone. Remember in Week 17 when he caught a 56-yard bomb from Winston in a trick play?  We Saints fans surely do, but we also remember that undrafted rookie Callaway caught 21 passes, and he too has lightning speed and quick, elusive route running that make him hard to defend.  This is a tough call, both players are fast with long strides and sticky hands that contest the jump ball and win.   Coach Payton is known for finding diamond in the rough undrafted rookies and making them shine, so my gut says Callaway can and will emerge as the clear complement to Thomas this year. 

Let’s look deeper at Smith. At 6’2”, he has the build of a great NFL wideout, but he has yet to be full on consistent.  In his best season yet, 2020 he produced 448 yards on 34 receptions so the potential is there as he can break away from defenders and manage high yards after the catch.  Yet, he only seemed to flourish under pressure when Thomas was out and the Saints were desperate.  Will he use pressure to motivate him to move past Callaway on the depth chart or will he let his inconsistency come to a head yet again.  He has had four years to move up the ranks and prove himself, and at times he does, but at other times, he looks like a borderline WR3/4 only.  I really like Smith and his abilities, but I feel like it should have happened by now, his breakout that is.  He shows flashes of greatness and no one can deny his hands, but we need consistency to help the offense compete for the top of the NFC South. Callaway as well is 6’2”and was undrafted but picked up by the Saints.  Last season in his rookie debut, he has 21 receptions for213 yards.   Granted, he only played in a few games like Week 5 where he was targeted six times for 34 yards.  The main difference between these two guys is that Callaway seems to be more versatile, even though Smith has more experience in the big game.  He has played on special teams as a swift punt and kickoff returner as well as wideout, and we know how much Payton loves gadget players.  The Saints need a new spark, one that will help to elevate the offense.  I believe that player is Callaway.  Give the young man a chance to break out his sophomore year and complement Thomas like the great wideout duos in the league. 

Thomas will be given the majority of shares as he himself is determined to prove that last year was a fluke and he is a Top 10 WR in this league, but not every ball can go to him or Kamara.  That is why it will be fun to see who Payton and offensive coordinator Carmichael plug in to play.   I have no doubt that Winston will start come September, and that Smith might be the one running routes in the beginning, as Smith is known for be on the receiving end of long shots downfield which is what Winston, but Callaway is the future and he will get his chance to truly shine and come out on top.  As a diehard Saints fan, I am definitely nervous about a new era without Brees, but excited for out future especially with rookies and sophomores who are in it to win it.  I have blindly trusted Coach Payton in the past and will again.  So, if Callaway is on your wavier wire in dynasty or redraft, take a flyer on him! 

The post New Orleans Saints: What does the QB and WR position look like? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

by: Reese Nasser

NFL great and longtime New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees announced his retirement early in the off-season. While this came as no surprise considering Brees had a 20-year career, all eyes were on how the Saints would address the QB position. The Saints currently have four quarterbacks on the roster: Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, Trevor Siemian, and rookie Ian Book. 

The Saints have options at quarterback and it is still unknown who will be QB1 once the season begins. But did the Saints make a mistake? Should they have traded for a player like Carson Wentz or moved up in the draft to take someone else? Or will the duo of Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston be enough? Let’s take a look. 

The Case for Jameis 

Jameis Winston has proven to be a quality starting quarterback in the NFL. His record of 28-42 during his six-year career can’t be all attributed to him as the teams he played on in Tampa were never great.. He showed flashes during his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and it was enough for the Saints to take a chance on him. In his last full season with the Buccaneers, he threw for 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions; becoming the first and only player in the 30/30 club. While he has been known to be reckless on the field, he will occasionally do things like this.

Now, after spending a full season learning behind Brees and getting lasik surgery to fix his eyes, the Saints should feel comfortable handing him the keys. The risk is worth it. Brees has publicly endorsed Winston as his successor and the Saints should do the same. 

The Potential of Taysom Hill

The Saints are still clearly all in on the Taysom Hill experiment after signing him to one of the strangest contracts in NFL history. The five-year extension has four voidable years which would mean the Saints could get out of it as soon as the 2021 season ends. The 31-year old utility player will make the occasional appearance but he can’t and should not be the Saints long term plan at quarterback. While talented, he hasn’t proven to have the ability of being a QB1. 

The Rookie

The Saints selected Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book in the fourth round of this year’s draft. While Book wasn’t one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s class, he showed glimpses in college. His 72 passing touchdowns and 17 rushing touchdowns showed that he has playmaking ability.

Many analyst feel as if the Saints may have reached on this pick. Scouts had his projected draft spot in the range of rounds 5-6 yet the Saints took him in the fourth. If you felt that there was a need at quarterback, why not take one in an earlier round? At the end of the day, the Saints took a QB that they potentially see a future with somewhere down the line. So let him learn and when he’s ready, let him go ball out.

The Decision

So did the Saints make a mistake? Should they have traded up to take Justin Fields in the first? Or take a QB in the second round such as Kellon Mond or Kyle Trask? Maybe. But the Saints felt confident enough to rock with the guys that they already have on the roster. The group that they have assembled, while somewhat questionable, is still better than a decent amount of QB rooms in the NFL. So let the guys on the roster give it a shot. Give Winston the opportunity that he deserves and see if he can be what the franchise needs. The team as a whole is talented and the quarterback will make or break them. It is still too early to say that the Saints make a mistake at the QB position this off-season, but in my eyes, they made all the right moves. And if it fails and the season goes down in flames, use the first round pick next year and draft the future of the franchise. 

The post Did the Saints properly replace Drew Brees? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Ladarius Brown

As in every offseason, teams position themselves to be successful while keeping the salary cap in mind. The New Orleans Saints, who have historically been legitimate title contenders for the past decade, had an intriguing offseason that began with them losing some major players:  

• QB Drew Brees (retirement)  
• WR Emmanuel Sanders (signed with the Bills)  
• EDGE Trey Hendrickson (signed with the Bengals)  
• DT Sheldon Rankins (signed with the Jets)  
• DT Malcolm Brown (signed with the Jaguars)  
• LB Alex Anzalone (signed with the Lions)  

A major reason for these departures is the salary cap purgatory the Saints are in. Even still. GM Mickey Loomis and the Saints have the 5th highest dead cap space ($22.8 million). Overall, they have nearly $62,000 in cap space, which is the last in the league and nearly the annual salary of a high school teacher. Despite their cap situation, there are a few FA signings I liked and good draft moves.   

FA Signings  

Signing DE Tanoh Kpassagnon from the Chiefs was a signing that could have great upside if Saints defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen can maximize his talents. Nielsen has been one of the best in the league over the last four years doing as such. The 6-foot-7, 289-pounder Kpassagnon is a former second-round draft pick who has started 23 games over the previous two years and has the adaptability to slip inside on downs using the pass-rush.   

He will possibly serve as a rotational backup behind starting DE’s Cameron Jordan and Marcus Davenport. However, the Saints have a great affinity to move bodies on the defensive line, needing more valued depth after losing DTs Malcolm Brown and Sheldon Rankins. Kpassagnon is still just 26 years old and has plenty of experience under his belt, logging more than 60 percent of the Chiefs’ defensive snaps last year.  

Another great signing is that of TE Nick Vannett. This takes care of one of the Saints’ more immediate needs after they moved on from their top two tight ends from last season: Jared Cook (signed with the Chargers) and Josh Hill (signed by the Lions). The Saints should be thrilled about the upside of their second-year TE, Adam Trautman out of Dayton, as both a pass-catcher and a blocker. Yet, they needed some veteran depth, and Vannett fills that role.   

The 6’6”, 261 pounds, Vannett has served primarily as a blocking tight end during his five-year career with the Seahawks, Steelers, and Broncos. Nonetheless, the former third-round draft pick out of Ohio State also has 75 catches for 686 yards and five TDs in his career.  

Draft Picks  

I will be honest here in saying that I did not see DE Payton Turner of Houston going in the first round but I understand why the Saints took him 28th overall in this year’s draft. At 6’6”, 270 pounds, Turner has potential that can be unlocked by the Saints defensive coaching staff. He possesses and formidable reaction time and athleticism along with how he creates and bursts into contact. Thinking about Turner playing alongside with All-Pro Cameron Jordan ought to excite Saints’ fans. Plus, if he can be as successful as another Payton, HC Sean Payton, Turner will work out great.   

They stayed on the defensive side of the ball in round two, drafting linebacker Pete Werner from Ohio State 60th overall. Werner was a two-time All-Big Ten Conference honoree including third-team honors in 2020. At 6’ 2”, 242 pounds, he played in 47 games as a Buckeye, started 35 times, and entered his senior season in 2020 with a stat line of 131 total tackles, 13.5 tackles-for-loss, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.   

Werner has lined up in the box, as an overhang player and a middle safety. Being a hybrid who plays in and out of the box is ideal in the NFL. He projects as a weakside LB in the 4-3 defense.   

One pick that I like that might shock some folks is their fourth-round pick out of Notre Dame: QB Ian Book. I understand they re-signed Jameis Winston (one-year deal worth up to $12 million) and Taysom Hill (four-year deal worth $140 million) but Book could be a steal here. HC Sean Payton “was drawn to his athleticism, accuracy, big-game experience, and track record of winning.” There is a handful of coaches who knows the QB position and Payton is high on that list.   

The Saints’ offseason was investing in the upside of players and seeking out veteran talent in FA. In the NFL, they went after players who either start day one or become starters within the next year or two. GM Mickey Loomis did his best Houdini impression, pulling some rabbits out of that gold & black hat.   

The post Why the Saints Made Fantastic FA and Draft Moves with Little Cap appeared first on Pro Football Mania.