New Orleans answered this offseason’s most pressing need by signing free agent QB Derek Carr. The move helped push the Saints into the top five in terms of NFC Super Bowl odds (+1400), but there are other areas of concern on the roster for New Orleans to address as it attempts to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
1. Defensive line
The Saints already added two players in free agency who’ve been solid rotational players during their careers — Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd — while also re-signing homegrown product Malcolm Roach. But more is needed for the group to rebound fully from a 2022 season when it ranked 24th in the league against the run, allowing 2,218 rush yards.
Calijah Kancey (Baylor) and Bryan Bresee (Clemson) were attached to New Orleans in mock drafts by Football Outsiders and ESPN, respectively, and either would go a long way to solidifying a unit under major construction.
2. Interior offensive line
The interior of the offensive line graded poorly last season, per Pro Football Focus. Among 77 graded guards, Cesar Ruiz (56.6) ranked 59th and Andrus Peat (50.6) ranked 68th. Center Erik McCoy received a 61.2, placing him 23rd out of 36 centers. All three will return in 2023 and if none improve — and the team doesn’t add anyone to take their place — this season could look a lot like the last two.
Peat was a former standout left tackle at Stanford but the move to guard has been an uneven one. By drafting an interior lineman in the draft — New Orleans could shift Peat back to tackle if he struggles again at guard this season, where he could backup Ryan Ramczyk and Trevor Penning.
3. Running back depth
Jamaal Williams was a great, unexpected pick-up for New Orleans. He led the league in rushing touchdowns (17) last season and could begin the season as the starter depending on the outcome of Alvin Kamara’s pending trial. Even with Williams in tow, New Orleans may want to peruse the promising class of running backs to improve its depth at the position.
Drafting local running back Tyjae Spears (Tulane) almost makes too much sense. Behind Kamara and Williams, the team’s options are Dwayne Washington and Derrick Gore. In five seasons with the Saints, Washington only has 58 rush attempts while Gore, 28, spent last season on the Saints practice squad.
Last year with the Green Wave, Spears had 251 touches, 1,837 yards and 21 touchdowns.
