Key Additions: TE Coby Fleener, DT Nick Fairley, OLB Nathan Stupar, ILB Craig Robertson, ILB James Laurinaitis, S Roman Harper.
Key Subtractions: RB Khiry Robinson, WR Marques Colston, TE Ben Watson, G Jahri Evans, DT Kevin Williams, ILB David Hawthorne, CB Brandon Browner
Strengths
Sean Payton enters his 10th season as the Saints’ head coach hoping that the team’s offense will lead them back into contention for a Super Bowl championship—or at least a division title. The Saints are +450 to win the AFC South.
With Drew Brees spearheading the offense, the Saints managed to average a league-best 310.6 passing yards per game. They were also eighth in scoring offense (25.5), second in total yards (403.8), and first in passing yards (310.6). Brees isn’t getting any younger but a deep set of targets should aid him in sustaining their prolific air attack. Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead, and rookie Michael Thomas are positioned to be Brees’ top targets this coming season.
Weaknesses
Whatever the Saints’ offense giveth, their defense taketh away. That was the outstanding narrative for New Orleans last season, when the team barely did anything on defense to resemble an organized unit. It was a total mess for the Saints’ defense that were 32nd in scoring defense (29.8 points allowed per game), 31st in total defense (413.4), 31st against the pass (284.0), and 31st against the run (129.4). This won’t get fixed entirely in a single offseason, but the Saints are hoping that they will take a step forward in terms of defense.
Key Player – Drew Brees
The Saints should really be praying that this season won’t be the start of Brees’ decline. With a defense that holds less promise and perhaps more embarrassment, everything appears to hinge on Brees’ arm again. Sure he’ll have a decent run game as complement, but the Saints’ offense remains to be defined by Brees and his ability to move the chains by air.
Key Game – at New York Giants (September 18)
If you like high-scoring teams with rotten defenses, you’ll definitely want to circle September 18 on your calendar. Drew Brees and his crew pay New York a visit to square off with the Giants, who, like the Saints, wallowed at the bottom of most defensive categories last season. The Giants were worst in the NFL in 2015 in both total defense and against the pass. New York, however, was sixth in scoring offense and eight in total offense. Sounds like fireworks, right?
2015 Team Stats
Category
Stat (Rank)
Points per game
25.5 (#8)
Passing yards per game
310.6 (#1)
Rushing yards per game
93.2 (#24)
Scoring defense
29.8 (#32)
Writer’s Prediction
The Saints end the regular season with a 7-9 record.
