The 2023 NFL offseason has come to a close, and the New Orleans Saints are looking at a significant turnover on their defensive front seven. Several key players have left, including Marcus Davenport, Kaden Elliss, David Onyemata, and Shy Tuttle, and new faces including Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd have joined the team. This could mean the Saints will have to rely on some unproven players to step up and take on more significant roles in the upcoming season.
One of the Saints’ most significant moves during the offseason was selecting A.T. Perry in the draft. Perry had a third-round grade, but the Saints were able to snag him in the middle of Day 3. While he is not a polished route-runner yet, he has a huge frame and could add an extra level of dynamism to New Orleans’ already young and talented receiving corps.
The biggest question mark for the Saints heading into the season is whether they will be able to recover from the wear and tear of the past few years. While they have big-name players on both sides of the ball, some of them have started to show signs of slowing down. Additionally, the team has undergone significant changes in recent offseasons, with the team on paper not looking anything like the team that makes it to the playoffs.
One of the most critical factors in the upcoming season will be the play of new quarterback Derek Carr. The Saints hope he can elevate his play from 2022, where he had his lowest-graded season in the past five years. Carr will have big shoes to fill, replacing veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, who is no longer with the team.
The defensive line was a major focus for the team during the offseason, with the Saints using two top-40 picks on defensive linemen. Bryan Bresee has the athletic traits needed to make an impact as an interior pass-rusher, but consistency was always an issue for him at Clemson. Meanwhile, Isaiah Foskey showed the ability to finish big plays and has comparable win rates to Bresee.
New Orleans also needs to consider the future at off-ball linebacker, with Demario Davis being the only reliable starter. Pete Werner showed promise as a rookie but failed to duplicate his success in a larger role in 2022. Finally, the Saints’ cornerback position also looks thin, with Marshon Lattimore being the only proven starter.
Overall, while New Orleans has talented players on both sides of the ball, there are significant questions and concerns heading into the upcoming season. If Carr cannot make explosive plays and take advantage of his playmakers, the Saints could be in for a long season. Despite playing in one of the weakest divisions in football, it is unclear if the Saints have improved enough in the offseason to compete for the NFC South crown.
