Fixing The New Orleans Saints In The Offseason
The Saints have a lot of things to figure out over the next several months. Even though the season just ended, New Orleans is having to debrief after a lost year and will need to work on the 2024 plan now to better position themselves when they take the field again in June for mandatory minicamp. It's not going to be easy. It's not going to be popular. It's going to take a lot of things to turn it around.
We can obviously bring things to the surface and fill in the blanks on what needs to happen in some areas. However, what would a full plan of attack consist of for New Orleans? Here's my school of thought to fix the team and address what areas are the most important to tackle over the next 100 days.
Honest Evaluations for Coaching Staff
New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael looks on during training camp. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY
Most of the changes we should expect for the Saints will be on the offensive side, as it should be. While everything feels like it should be on the table, my personal vote would be to keep Ronald Curry (quarterbacks/passing game coordinator), Kodi Burns (wide receivers) and Clancy Barone (tight ends). After that, it's all up for a heavy and thorough evaluation.
Pete Carmichael Jr. would obviously be the biggest name the Saints could replace. Respectfully, New Orleans has had the same offense for the past 17 years. Some of the parts and pieces have evolved and changed, but the basic concept has been there for a long time. Fresh ideas and a new perspective would be welcomed, and while the team unlocked things down the stretch, it was just inconsistent. Coaching and game planning can easily spell the differences between wins and losses, and we saw too much of it in 2023.
Doug Marrone and Kevin Carberry had the offensive line ready to go and figured things out after some major struggles early in the season, but one of the most concerning things moving forward is Trevor Penning. He couldn't even see jumbo work in garbage time with injuries that went to a practice squad offensive lineman. That's really troubling. New Orleans has to get him the right mentor or coach this offseason, or it's going to just go down as a massive bust.
Anything beyond the main components of the offensive line and offensive coordinator could be on the table, but we'll have to see how it takes shape exactly.
Defensively, I feel good about keeping everything in place. Michael Hodges (linebackers) could be a coach to watch. He's done a tremendous job for years with the group, and it won't be surprising to see someone give him an extended look for something.
Get Under the Cap
Mar 11, 2023; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis looks on at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
RESTRUCTURES
We know these are coming. It's just a part of how the Saints operate. We've already seen these with Marshon Lattimore and Jameis Winston.
Derek Carr will be a prime candidate for a restructure, but New Orleans doesn't exactly have to touch his contract to get cap compliant. If they do choose to touch Carr's deal, they could free up roughly $23 million with just him. Of course, a common practice to help the Saints with even more cap relief could be to add void years to the deal.
Here's several players the Saints should and will look at to provide some relief with the potential savings.
- Cam Jordan ($9.4 million)
- Demario Davis ($8 million)
- Erik McCoy ($6.7 million)
- Carl Granderson ($7.2 million)
- Cesar Ruiz ($6.6 million)
- Taysom Hill ($6.6 million)
- Alvin Kamara ($8 million)
Along with Carr, that would free up roughly $76 million. There are others to look at like Tyrann Mathieu and Juwan Johnson who could also generate an extra $9.5 million. The Saints will need to have space to spend and also have the room to sign rookies. We'll see what happens sooner rather than later.
MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS
© Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
We already know that there's a few 'old guard' Saints players that might not be with the team next season. While those will obviously come to the surface soon enough, the thought process and 'stay or go' exercise from my colleague Ross Jackson makes a ton of sense.
Here's some departures I'd expect or wouldn't be shocked at: Jameis Winston, Michael Thomas, Andrus Peat and Marcus Maye. The future decision regarding Marshon Lattimore will be fascinating to see unfold with his option clause. Lattimore is a big presence on the field, taking away almost half of it when he's out there. New Orleans proved they could thrive without him, but there were also times where they looked lost. If they trade him for any reason, then that would give Isaac Yiadom a spot to start opposite of Paulson Adebo while Alontae Taylor stays in the slot.
What was encouraging to see from New Orleans' final offensive performance against the Falcons is the success without Kamara, Ramczyk, Thomas and Lattimore. It's possible, but certainly not a norm we would get used to or could honestly say would work. With the team talking about a culture change, some of these players might not be part of the equation. Let's also not overlook the fact that Dennis Allen alluded to Kamara 'looking older'.
Tighten Up Scouting, Evaluations
Nov 5, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen talks to defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (90) against the Chicago Bears during the first half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Prototypes and small school finds are nice, but if you're going to turn this thing around, you're not going to rely on a ton of rookies to make an instant impact, let alone start for you. Yes, New Orleans has two picks in the Top 50 with the 14th and 45th selections. They hit gold with Bryan Bresee, but the picks between Rounds 2-4 didn't exactly make a large impact. In all honesty, the team got more from their Day 3 and undrafted rookies than they did with anything on Day 2.
Relative Athletic Scores (RAS) are always a metric and measure New Orleans has used to draft. It's almost like a running joke that someone needs to have at least a 9.0 or higher to even get considered by the Saints. After the two top picks, the Saints won't operate again until Day 3 (as of right now). The Saints want to inject a little more youth into their roster and will be banking on some of their younger players to make big jumps, and this simply isn't the year to draft a project or player that has the 'potential' to be great.
Saints 2024 Draft Picks
- Round 1
- Round 2 (via Broncos)
- Round 5
- Round 6
- Round 7 (via Broncos)
New Orleans could get three more picks through the compensatory process, but those aren't projected to be higher than a fifth-rounder. They could obviously acquire more if they offload a player via a trade or through other means.
Prioritize Key Free Agent Positions
November 27, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk (71) after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 27, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk (71) after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
AREAS OF NEED
The Saints have a couple of glaring areas they'll need to address in the offseason, but where they should start is on the offensive line.
Here's the thought process. You didn't have a good running game last season and you shouldn't rely on rookies to protect a veteran in Derek Carr. You're not sure what the future holds for Ryan Ramczyk, and at this point, you can't count on Trevor Penning. Andrus Peat is a free agent right now, and the only certain players you have returning are James Hurst, Cesar Ruiz and Erik McCoy. Landon Young could also be a player you use in the mix.
In short, you need a veteran offensive tackle or two. I loved the thought process last offseason bringing in someone like Trai Turner on the interior for training camp, but an unfortunate injury ended his season prematurely. Offensive tackle is where I'd swing the most when free agency opens. I also wouldn't rule out bringing back someone like Cameron Erving.
Early targets: Mike Onwenu (Patriots), Trent Brown (Patriots), Jonah Williams (Bengals)
AVOID THE SPLASH, STAY IN THE BARGAIN BIN
Aside Derek Carr, the Saints added some pieces that fit the team well and didn't pay a ton. Getting two defensive tackle starters in Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd well under market value was smart. Bringing defensive backs in like Ugo Amadi and Lonnie Johnson helped special teams, as well as having another option in the slot and at safety. Jamaal Williams didn't have the season anyone expected, but again, the offensive line wasn't that good.
With the exception of the offensive line, New Orleans should focus on finding players that fit the mold and will give the team respectable playing time with starting upside. One area they should look is getting a veteran receiver that would backfill a potential loss in Michael Thomas.
Sink or Swim, Boom or Bust
Everything above isn't exactly how it will look at the end of the day. The truth is, no one really knows what will happen. The Saints are always a team that pulls shock and awe in one way or another. The reality is that the importance of it working is what matters. If New Orleans can't get it together next season, then things might just look very different for the Saints. Dennis Allen is down to his final strike, and it's playoffs or nothing.
This is the team's last chance to make something of itself with their current core. Not getting in the postseason could prompt a total rebuild. The Saints braintrust can't get away with mediocrity again. The results need to speak for itself in 2024, and the work starts now to build it up and win back the fans and doubters.
