'24 Preview: New Orleans Saints
All Access Football previews the 2024 New Orleans Saints. All Access. All Football. All The Time.
Volume XXIV Edition XXII | 2024 Preview: New Orleans Saints
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NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 2024 SEASON PREVIEW
NFC SOUTH || 2023 Record: 9-8 || AAF Preseason Power Ranking: 30
Team Brass
Owner: Gayle Benson || General Manager: Mickey Loomis || Head Coach: Dennis Allen || Offensive Coordinator: Klint Kubiak || Defensive Coordinator: Joe Woods || Special Teams: Darren Rizzi
2024 NFLPA Report Card || Overall Ranking (19 of 32)
Offense Rankings
Total Offense: 337.2 (14th) || Passing: 234.7 (11th) || Rushing: 102.5 (21st) || Points: 23.6 (9th) || Sacked: 35 (8th) || 3rd Down: 38.7% (15th)
Defense Rankings
Total Defense: 327.2 (13th) || Passing: 207.3 (10th) || Rushing: 119.9 (22nd) || Points Allowed: 19.2 (8th) || Sacks: 34 (T-28th) || Turnover Differential: 11 (T-3rd)
Top 10 Franchise Players
WR Chris Olave (photo credit: New Orleans Saints)
C Erik McCoy
LB Demario Davis
S Tyrann Mathieu
CB Paulson Adebo
WR Rashid Shaheed
OT Ryan Ramczyk
DE Carl Grandson
CB Alontae Taylor
RB Alvin Kamara
Key Additions
WR Cedrick Wilson Jr. (Dolphins) || WR Equanimeous St. Brown (Bears) || DE Chase Young (49ers) || LB Willie Gay (Chiefs) || LB Khaleke Hudson (Commanders) || S Will Harris (Lions)
Key Losses
QB Jameis Winston (Browns) || WR Michael Thomas || WR Lynn Bowden || TE Jimmy Graham || OL James Hurst || OG Andrus Peat (Raiders) || OG Max Garcia || DT Malcolm Roach (Broncos) || LB Zach Baun (Eagles) || CB Isaac Yiadom (49ers) || CB Lonnie Johnson (Texans) || S Marcus Maye (Dolphins)
Breakout Players
WR AT Perry - The lengthy Perry made several splash plays during his first season in the Bayou, averaging over 20 yards per catch! Unfortunately, injuries held him to just 10 games. With a full season under his belt, a healthy Perry could be in line for a full-time starting role.
DT Bryan Bresee - Expect more backfield disruption from the explosive Bresee in ‘24, as a big leap is expected from last year’s first round selection. He really stepped up down the stretch of the season. Bresee finished with four and a half sacks, becoming just the eighth rookie defensive tackle to accomplish such a feat in the past decade.
CB Alontae Taylor - The physical Taylor brings a much needed toughness to the Saints secondary. He transitioned inside to the slot position last season and the move paid great dividends. Taylor secured his first two career interceptions, while deflecting 14 more passes and made a bushel of plays behind the line of scrimmage. He seems settled into the new role and is poised for a breakout campaign.
2024 NFL Draft Class
It was wise to invest in the offensive line with the addition of Taliese Fuaga. Unfortunately, it won’t be enough to keep Derek Carr in good graces, making the late-round selection of quarterback Spencer Rattler intriguing. Look for Rattler to make a cameo by season’s end. Excellent defensive depth was at all three levels with corner Kool-Aid McKinstry, linebacker Jaylan Ford and tackle Khristian Boyd. Initial Overall Rookie Assessment: High Level Impact
Rd.1 No.14 - OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State (photo credit: New Orleans Saints)
Rd.2 No.41 - CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
Rd.5 No.150 - QB Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
Rd.5 No.170 - WR Bub Means, Pittsburgh
Rd.5 No.175 - LB Jaylan Ford, Texas
Rd.6 No.199 - DT Khristian Boyd, Northern Iowa
Rd.7 No.239 - OT Josiah Ezirim, Eastern Kentucky
UDFA Watch
WR Mason Tipton
TE Dallin Holker, Colorado State
CB Rico Payton, Pittsburg State
Top 10 Players Under 25
WR Chris Olave (23)
CB Paulson Adebo (24)
QB Spencer Rattler (23)
DT Bryan Bresee (22)
OT Taliese Fuaga (22)
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (21)
DT Khristian Boyd (24)
WR Mason Tipton (23)
LB Jaylan Ford (22)
WR AT Perry (24)
Prediction
Vegas O/U Win Total: 7.5 - Saints sink south, 4-13.