2022 marked the first season of the post-Sean Payton era in New Orleans. Whilst the team showed flashes at times, it certainly wasn’t plain sailing under Dennis Allen. The team finished up 7-10, marking the first time they have lost double digit games since way back in 2005.
Roster changes
The big news in New Orleans is the change they have made under center, signing former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr to a four-year, $150 million deal. Carr has been joined by former Las Vegas teammate Foster Moreau, who signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Saints. They also added Jamaal Williams on a three-year, $12 million deal. The former Detroit Lion found the end zone 17 times in 2022.
Whilst they made some additions on offense, their tight cap situation resulted in a few notable losses on defense. Marcus Davenport and David Onyemata both departed after ranking second and third on the team in pressures respectively in 2022. Starting linebacker Kaden Elliss also left, as did the likes of Shy Tuttle, Adam Trautman, and Marquez Callaway.
Coaching situation
2023 will mark the Saints’ second season under Dennis Allen. Despite an often underwhelming offense last season, there was just one change to the staff on that side of the ball, with Clancy Barone joining as the new tight ends coach. Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael will return for his 15th season in the role.
The biggest changes came on the defensive side of the ball. Allen spent 2022 as the defensive play caller but has relinquished the role and hired former Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods to take charge. Ryan Nielsen and Kris Richard, who both held the title of co-defensive coordinator in 2022, have left the team. In fact, the Saints have just one returning position coach on defense in linebackers coach Michael Hodges.
2023 NFL Draft
| Pick | Player |
| 1.29 | Bryan Bresee – IDL, Clemson |
| 2.40 | Isaiah Foskey – EDGE, Notre Dame |
| 3.71 | Kendre Miller – RB, TCU |
| 4.103 | Nick Saldiveri – OT, Old Dominion |
| 4.127 | Jake Haener – QB, Fresno State |
| 5.146 | Jordan Howden – S, Minnesota |
| 6.195 | AT Perry – WR, Wake Forest |
The Saints had a very solid draft, starting with the selection of Clemson’s Bryan Bresee. Bresee’s impact was limited in college by virtue of injuries, but he has been excellent when on the field. They added more defensive talent with Isaiah Foskey, who had 12 sacks in as many starts last season. Don’t sleep on third rounder Kendre Miller either. He finished his junior year averaging 6.1 yards per carry and 17 rushing touchdowns, which tied for eighth nationally. He could develop into an impact player for the Saints pretty quickly.
Offense
Last season was a bit of a disappointing one for this Saints offense. Their passing game was underwhelming and their rushing attack was anemic as they slumped to 22nd in DVOA. That said, they can at least be happy that they picked up a franchise star in wide receiver Chris Olave. Olave hit the ground running as a rookie, leading the team in catches and receiving yards. He also ranked seventh amongst wide receivers in yards per route run.
He could improve even more now that the Saints have upgraded at quarterback. Derek Carr’s time in Las Vegas might not have ended well, but he is still a very solid starter. Since 2020, Carr ranks 12th in adjusted EPA per play, ahead of the likes of Kirk Cousins and Kyler Murray. He is also a perfect fit in Pete Carmichael’s rhythm-based, West Coast offense. Don’t be surprised to see him have a bounce back season.
The question hanging over this offense in 2023 is where their secondary options are in the passing game. Olave is great, but they can’t rely solely on him, especially with opposing defenses now zeroing in on the former Ohio State standout. Michael Thomas is on the roster, but is he healthy? And even if so, is he the same player he used to be? Outside of that they have Alvin Kamara (who is suspended for three games) and nothing else of note.
Defense
The Saints defense starts with their secondary. This group isn’t talked about enough but it is home to some real talent. Last season they allowed the lowest completion percentages on deep passes (19.4%) in the NFL. They boast one of the best safety duos in football in Marcus Maye and Tyrann Mathieu, with the latter allowing a passer rating of just 65.9 in 2022. They will also have Marshon Lattimore back. Their star corner was limited to just seven games last season but in 2021 he led the league with 21 forced incompletions.
They are also home to a very good linebacker group. Despite turning 34 earlier this year, Demario Davis remains one of the best players at his position in the NFL. He was excellent in 2022, allowing just 6.6 yards per target. He also forced an impressive five incompletions. His ability as a blitzer is noteworthy too, with nine sacks in 2022 leading all linebackers. Pete Werner is also a solid contributor at the position, with his 37 stops last season ranking second on the team behind Davis.
The worry is whether this team has enough up front to be a consistent defense. The Saints were one of just three teams to not have a single player with 40+ pressures in 2022. David Onyemata and Marcus Davenport ranked second and third in pressures respectively and both are now gone. Cam Jordan is the only returning player who had more than 25 pressures last season and he is 34. New Orleans is relying on a huge leap from someone like Carl Granderson or instant impact from rookies like Bryan Bresee and Isaiah Foskey. Neither seems like a likely outcome.
Prediction
The Saints have certainly improved at quarterback this offseason and they have plenty of talented players on defense. There are however enough questions at key spots – namely pass catcher and edge rusher – to prevent them from being a genuinely competitive roster in 2023.
