Year two was another season of disappointment in the post-Sean Payton era, as the New Orleans Saints were not among the teams that participated in the playoffs. Despite their 9-8 record, the team did not meet their lofty expectations this season. Many league pundits projected their 2023 schedule as one of the easiest in league history, but the Saints made the slate look daunting on many occasions. A common trend that has taken hold in New Orleans is the issue of the team needing help from other clubs for advancement into the postseason.
They have found themselves in a similar situation for three straight seasons. Despite winning four out of their last five games, the Saints were scoreboard-watching while dismantling the Atlanta Falcons in Week 18. With a 9-8 record and no playoff appearance, the Saints now head into an offseason where they must investigate why the season turned out as it did in 2023. Here’s our Saints 2024 offseason preview, where we break down the current salary cap situation, impending free agents, and team needs.
Estimated Salary Cap Space: $-75,485,847 (Source: Spotrac)
The “Saints are in Cap Hell” narrative has already started, but as many know, managing the cap has never been their issue. New Orleans must become salary cap compliant by the league’s mandatory date, which starts the new year. Once all matters have been sorted out, the team will have the money to sign players needed to enhance the current roster.
2024 Free Agents
Andrew Peat: G
Jameis Winston: QB
Isaac Yiadom: CB
James Hurst: RT
Trai Turner: G
Zack Baun: LB
Jimmy Graham: TE
Max Garcia: G
Cameron Erving: T
Ugo Amadi: S
Lonnie Johnson: CB
Ty Summers: LB
Kyle Phillips: DE
Malcolm Roach: DT
Keith Kirkwood: WR
Andrew Dowell: LB
Adam Prentice: FB
Shemar Jean-Charles: CB
Lynn Bowden: WR
Eno Benjamin: RB
Rashid Shaheed: WR
P.J. Mustipher: DT
Billy Price: G
Out of the 23 free agents in this year’s class, there may be only three that the Saints should prioritize bringing back in 2024. With Trevor Penning not producing at the next level, Andrus Peat switched from guard to his natural position at left tackle. The former first-rounder out of Stanford performed exceptionally well for a player who had seen no action at the position in years. Because of how efficient the Saints’ passing game was to close out the season, Peat may become a player that the front office prioritizes re-signing.
However, the Saints’ original plan was to not bring back Peat after this season, but with Penning not being fully developed, those plans may have changed. Cornerback Isaac Yiadom is another name to pay close attention to if the Saints trade All-Pro Marshon Lattimore. While it wasn’t perfect, New Orleans remained among the top ten units defending against the pass while Yiadom played in Lattimore’s role. Other notable names that the Saints may have to consider re-signing are linebacker Zack Baun and offensive tackle James Hurst.
Team Needs
Offensive Coordinator
The Saints’ offense finished the season positively compared to what we witnessed in the beginning and midway of 2023. However, the improvements were insufficient for the team to retain longtime assistant Pete Carmichael as offensive coordinator. Names that have been floated around as potential candidates are Jon Gruden, Klint Kubiak, Zac Robinson, Jerrod Johnson, and Dan Pitcher.
Offensive Tackle
Because of the uncertainty surrounding right tackle Ryan Ramczyk and Trevor Penning’s lack of growth at the professional level, the Saints could be in a dire situation regarding their offensive line. New Orleans can address this matter either by way of the draft or by utilizing the free agency route. As we have noticed by now, Derek Carr is an entirely different quarterback when he feels as if there’s not adequate protection upfront.
Defensive End
Dennis Allen’s defense finished the year as a top-15 unit with the least number of sacks out of any team in 2023. However, despite having a top defense, the group played a significant role in many losses throughout the season. The Saints’ inability to create consistent pressure on the opposing quarterback was observed in those defeats. Defensive end Cam Jordan has not had the impact in the trenches he once had before and is now more useful against the run. Carl Granderson’s teammate has demonstrated that he has become a key player on the Saints’ defensive line, but is he more of a Robin than Batman?
Cornerback
If the Saints are moving on from All-Pro Marshon Lattimore, addressing the void must be at the top of the list. They can put Alontae Taylor back on the outside and pair him with Paulson Adebo, or they can re-sign Yiadum and keep Taylor in the slot. Another option New Orleans can utilize is the draft or the free agency route, where they can sign a stopgap at the position.
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