The New Orleans Saints went 13-3 in 2019, making the playoffs for the third straight time in the past five years. However, they were unable to make the playoffs, losing 20-26 to the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Wild Card game. As seems to happen annually, General Manager Mickey Loomis will again need to work his financial magic this year for the organization to pursue and retain excellent players.
In the NFC South, the Saints are a team with the core talent to challenge for a Super Bowl in 2020. The decisions that Loomis & Co. make via free agency and the draft will be huge in maintaining sustainable success along with attaining the goal of winning another Super Bowl.
Below are three areas in which New Orleans will need to improve in 2020:
1). Interior Offensive Line
The offensive line is one of the two most important units on a football team. The Saints will need to make decisions on two-time Pro Bowl left guard Andrus Peat, who is an unrestricted free agent. The former first-round pick has never played an entire season for New Orleans, however. In 2019 he appeared in just 10 games after suffering a broken forearm. That year, the team was 30th in the league, allowing 25 sacks. It was 31st in the NFL, allowing 58 quarterback hits.
Left tackle Terron Armstead ($15.9 million) and Larry Warford ($12.875 million) are two guys that draw a huge cap hit in 2020. It will be something to watch as Loomis handles some potential financial decisions. New Orleans could look in-house to help fill some of the voids, but if the Saints want to continue to maintain the quality along the offensive line, it will be imperative for them to do their due diligence via free agency or the draft.
2). Cornerback
If there was ever a unit that Head Coach Sean Payton can’t afford to take a step back from, it is his secondary. In a division full of quarterbacks capable of taking the top off defenses, the Saints can’t go back to the days of QB Drew Brees gutting out wins in shootout fashion.
However, with CBs Eli Apple and P.J. Williams (both former UFAs) hitting free agency, there is a glaring hole across from fellow-cornerback Marshon Lattimore. With New Orleans being pressed for cap space, it will be interesting to see what the Saints brass will do to solidify the cornerback positions. Last season, the Saints were 19th in passing yards allowed per game (240.8).
3). Linebacker
The Saints have four linebackers hitting the market this offseason: Manti Te’o, Josh Martin, Stephone Anthony and A.J. Klein. These guys aren’t starters but they do provide solid depth. It’s unknown right now what the Saints do regarding who they re-sign but the two guys that immediately come to mind are Te’o and Klein.
Klien is an older player who will be going into his eighth season in the NFL. But he has been a strong contributor. The Wisconsin native has played in 103 career games, accruing 339 combined tackles, 10.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and three interceptions. Te’o has had a productive career as well, playing in 62 games and racking up 306 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two interceptions.
That said, depth is just as important as having quality starters because inadequate depth can result in a significant production drop off. It will be vitally important for the Saints to add talent via the draft that can help them now and in the future.
Other notable needs: WR, QB, TE