3 Biggest Questions Before Final Week of Saints OTAs
So far, the New Orleans Saints have impressed throughout organized team activities (OTAs). With widespread attendance, standout plays on both offense and defense and the clear comfort of new players fitting into the system, it is worth being optimistic with where the team currently sits. However, there are still some big questions that have not yet been answered. While the final week of OTAs may not grant those answers outright, they may shed light on what's to come.
Jan 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) returns an interception for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Will the Saints defense force more turnovers in 2023?
In the last week of OTAs, we saw big plays on defense. Cornerback Troy Pride Jr. picked off a pass up the right sideline intended for tight end Juwan Johnson. Slot specialist Ugo Amadi also punched a ball out that was caught by undrafted wideout Malik Flowers.
The Saints defense is showing a penchant to take the ball away. Takeaways will be a huge asset for New Orleans throughout the 2023 season, as the defenders try to get the ball back to Derek Carr and the offense. While the Saints have invested quite a bit on offensive side of the ball, the defense will be key to their success.
While OTAs are not necessarily indicative of regular season success, seeing an early emphasis on takeaways is promising.
Will D'Marco Jackson be the solution at linebacker depth?
The Saints have not brought in a veteran linebacker yet this offseason despite the departure of 2022 breakout player Kaden Elliss. The team has added reinforcements through undrafted free agency, but most eyes are currently on 2022 fifth-round selection D'Marco Jackson.
Jackson has clearly been the top option behind starters Demario Davis and Pete Werner the last two weeks. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, the former App State Team Captain is a little smaller than the team's usual prototype at the position. But his sideline-to-sideline ability and downhill tackling prowess both make him hard to miss on the field.
He looks to have bulked up, too. Which would be a good sign for the young second-level player. If he can show a consistency in rushing the passer, he could land the role Elliss carved out for himself after Werner returned from injury. Jackson totaled 6 sacks in 2021 on just 98 pass rushing snaps per Pro Football Focus. That is the kind of production and efficiency that gets you on the field in New Orleans.
Who will be the next standout wide receiver?
Carr and his receivers have been building chemistry throughout the last two weeks of practices and it is clear to see. During the first week of practices he connected with second-year wideout Chris Olave deep downfield, giving him a chance to reel in a contested pass against safety Marcus Maye. The following week, fellow second-year receiver Rashid Shaheed was the apple of Carr's eye.
So who will it be in the third week? Perhaps a reprise for either or both Olave and Shaheed is what feels most likely. But standout performances by rookie A.T. Perry or new additions like James Washington (who was absent last Tuesday) and Bryan Edwards would be welcome sights.
Ruling out the tight ends would be short-sighted as well. Pass-catchers Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau have been solid all offseason thus far. One of them, or the newest addition to the room in Jesse James, could very well become Carr's top target during the final OTA practice open to media.
Little bit of lagniappe:
Running backs coach Joel Thomas said that the team would be expanding its third down package over the next week. Whether that took place late last week or begins early this week, a look at running backs as pass catchers could be on the way. That would be a big benefit for running backs like Jamaal Williams and Kirk Merritt.
Williams spent all offseason focused on pass catching and Merritt has been spending all of his time with the running backs this offseason, but has a career wide receiver history. Both could be a lot of fun to watch this week in the passing game, developing the trust of Carr as route-runners and receivers from the backfield.
