The 2022 season has just ended, and as of March 13, the 2023 campaign will open its doors. DNA of Sports therefore takes the opportunity to offer you an overview of the different franchises during the off-season. Which players to keep and cut? Which free agent to extend? Which rookies to watch? Here are some ideas, franchise by franchise. In the spotlight today, the New Orleans Saints.
It is now a habit in Louisiana: the Saints are well above the salary cap. It’s simple, only the Buccaneers are in a more alarming situation. Both NFC South franchises exceed the payroll cap by about $55 million. The priority of Mickey Loomis, the general manager, will therefore be to find ways to save money.
The idea being to be able to continue to build this team. The priority will be to find a quarterback for this team, which is sorely lacking in a quality pitcher.
The owners
1. Cameron Jordan (DE)
2. Demario Davis (LB)
3. Marshon Lattimore (CB)
In New Orleans, between the absence of a solution at the quarterback position currently and the legal concerns of Alvin Kamara which could lead to a suspension from the NFL, the attack is a huge question mark. It is therefore on the defense side that the captains are to be found. We’ve picked one from each row here, starting with the symbol of this team since Drew Brees left: Cameron Jordan. The defensive end has become this season the best sackeur in the history of the franchise. He represents a leader on and off the pitch for this team. While the rebuilding is underway, Cameron Jordan is still one of the mainstays.
Behind him on the field, he can count on other major players. Demario Davis, for example, has been unquestionably one of the central pieces of this team since his arrival in 2018. The linebacker is not only a tackle machine, he is also one of the vocal leaders of this team. Finally, on the back lines, Marshon Lattimore is still one of the best cornerbacks in the league. The only problem is that repeated injuries regularly keep him away from the lawns. For example, he missed 11 games last season due to a kidney problem. Except that when he is on the field, he makes the difference, as we could see during the victory against the Eagles in week 17.
Undesirables
–Michael Thomas (WR)
– Jameis Winston (QB)
– Will Lutz (K)
– Andrus Peat (LG)
– Tre’Quan Smith (WR)
Before recruiting, you have to lighten up. If this strategy is true in all NFL franchises, it will never have made as much sense as with the Saints. As we have said, despite the increase in the salary cap in the NFL, New Orleans still has 55 million dollars too much in its payroll. The advantage is that a wide choice of potential cuts is offered to Mickey Loomis. Five will be highlighted here, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the Saints released more to save.
The first, the most logical, is called Michael Thomas. Since his fantastic season in 2019, the receiver has only played 10 games in 3 seasons for a total of 56 receptions and 609 yards. It’s far too little a player who shows more than 10 million annual salary. Cutting it before June 1 would also allow the franchise to free up around $13 million in the salary cap. Behind him, another name comes up regularly when we talk about cutting in New Orleans: Jameis Winston. Between injuries and poor performance, the quarterback did not convince in Louisiana and cutting him after June 1 would save more than $ 12.8 million in the salary cap.
Finally, since the financial emergency is very real for New Orleans, many players could be in danger. Left guard Andrus Peat (11.82 million saved if the cut arrives after June 1), kicker Will Lutz (3.7 million released) or receiver Tre’Quan Smith (2.9 million saved, if the cut happens after June 1) could all bear the brunt of this need for space in the payroll.
The summer man
Chris Olave (WR)
If the Saints’ sporting priority this season is to find a new pitcher (see below), the position remains a huge question mark at present. Whoever it is, this future quarterback can in any case rely on one of the most promising receivers in the league: Chris Olave. The former Ohio State, drafted in 11th position in 2022, assumed his status from his rookie season. In 15 games, he caught 72 balls for 1042 yards and 4 TDs. Encouraging statistics especially when you know the names of his quarterbacks last year (Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton or even Taysom Hill).
The most impressive thing about the receiver is his room for improvement. He exceeded 1,000 yards in his first season in the league, but there are still many areas where he can improve. With further physical development and the elimination of sometimes costly drops, Olave could quickly become one of the best catchers in the league. His sophomore season will be important for his progress, but also for the dynamics of the attack of the Saints.
The main free agents
- Marcus Davenport (EDGE)
- Jarvis Landry (WR)
- Andy Dalton (QB),
- PJ Williams (BC),
- Chris Harris Jr. (BC),
The others: Shy Tuttle (DT), JT Gray (S), Mark Ingram (RB), Daniel Sorensen (S), Kentavius Street (EDGE), Justin Evans (S), Nick Vannett (TE), Isaac Yiadom (CB) , David Johnson (RB)…
It’s hard to imagine the Saints pulling out the checkbook to retain all those free agents. Like every year, New Orleans will certainly be forced to let go of some of its important elements. Marcus Davenport is perhaps the most notable player. With 21.5 sacks since his draft in 2018, he may have suitors. Except that his 2022 season is not in his standards (0.5 sack), his price will be interesting to observe. Not sure, however, that the leaders have the possibility of retaining him, like Trey Hendrickson two seasons ago.
For others, the Saints are likely to prioritize the draft, especially if prices soar.
Top 5 Needs
1. Quarterback
2. Offensive line
3.Safety
4. Receiver
5. Defensive line
Like many teams in the league this season, quarterbacking will be a big issue for the Saints. The strength of this franchise is that behind the pitcher (or especially the absence of a pitcher) the workforce is relatively complete. There is no real urgency. Be careful, this does not mean that New Orleans does not have needs, quite the contrary. The whole of this roster needs to be improved. On the offensive line, for example, Denis Allen would not be against a little reinforcement, especially if Andrus Peat were to be cut.
With Chris Olave, Juwan Johnson or Marquez Callaway, the receiving positions are provided, but the potential departures of Michael Thomas and/or Jarvis Landry could require targeted recruitment. In defense too, it is necessary to maximize the workforce. In the defensive backfield, for example, Tyrann Mathieu, Marcus Maye and Daniel Sorensen (who is a free agent) are veterans and new blood would be ideal to secure the future. Finally, the defensive system of Dennis Allen being very much based on his defensive line, reinforcement in these positions never hurts to bring depth.
Target
Jacoby Brissett (QB, Browns)
We admit that there are names that would make Saints supporters dream more. Unfortunately, the situation in New Orleans is such that the time of dreams is over in Louisiana. Barring a surprise trade, the draft (see below) will not recover a launcher “NFL Ready”. Remain free agency. Except that the financial room for maneuver is too low and that some of the top quarterbacks (Lamar Jackson, Geno Smith…) seem destined to stay in their franchise.
There is Derek Carr, free for a few days, but the pitcher refused a trade to the Saints and the track seems to be cooling. We will therefore have to be inventive and in this context Jacoby Brissett makes sense. The pitcher is coming off a decent season in Cleveland and could be the perfect transition player while waiting for a young, high-potential pitcher.
The new blood
Nolan Smith (EDGE – Georgia)
Despite being ranked at the bottom of the NFL, the Saints will have to wait a while before being called upon to choose in the 2023 draft. Indeed, their first round (10th pick) was sent to the Eagles in the trade of the past year involving numerous draft picks. New Orleans still got a pick in that first round after signing Sean Payton in Denver. The leaders will therefore be in 29th position next April.
From there all options are open for this homogeneous workforce which has no gaping holes, but which has needs everywhere. Considering that no quarterback available in 29th place deserves a first round, the Saints can go in many directions. Nolan Smith for example could be a consistent choice. In the event of the departure of Marcus Davenport, the Saints will want to keep depth on this defensive line and could think of the Georgia player.
Other choices: Felix Anudike-Uzomah (EDGE – Kansas State), Bryant Bresee (DL – Clemson)…
