The Saints Are Comin' to Re-Claim The NFC South!
It feels pretty damn good to be optimistic about the New Orleans Saints again!
After a couple of years in the wilderness, Kellen Moore looks to have struck gold on drafting Tyler Shough in the 2nd round last year and it is time to take back the NFC South in year 2!
The Saints made a couple of big moves in NFL Free Agency yesterday signing Louisiana native RB Travis Etienne to a 4 year, $52 million contract and stud Guard David Edwards for 4 years and $61 million.
So what does it mean?
It is the end of the Alvin Kamara era. He has been a Saints star and fan favorite since being drafted in the 3rd round in 2017. Always sad to see a local legend go but Etienne has a similar skill set, is much younger & a clear upgrade.
The Edwards signing is a home run! He graded out at 97.2% in pass protection for Buffalo last year and LG has been a turnstile.
On paper, the OL starting five of Fu'aga (2024 1st Round LT), Edwards, Erik McCoy, Caesar Ruiz & Kelvin Banks (2025 1st Round RT) is a top 10 unit in the NFL. No reason not to love this starting lineup to protect the new franchise QB!
Obviously their health will decide this as McCoy & Ruiz have both been banged up a good bit the last couple of years.
The Saints also signed veteran TE Noah Fant to a 2 year deal and brought TE Juwan Johnson back for what should be a solid combo this season. (Johnson is the better pass catcher & Fant blocking).
At WR Chris Olave is in line for a big payday soon. He is the clear #1 WR option and clicked with Shough last season. Olave has struggled to stay healthy in his career but I blame Derek Carr's hospital balls for most of that.
DeVaughan Vele provides size at WR and is a solid role player. The rest of the group needs help and will be addressed in the draft.
On defense, the winds of change are blowing'. Longtime star LB DeMario Davis departed to the Jets for 2 years and $20 million. Definitely pouring one out for him as it is a sad day.
The Saints also lost a helluva player in the secondary in Alontae Taylor who left for Nashville for 3 years and $60 million from the Titans.
The big question now is what will happen with Cam Jordan? The 15 year vet and Saints legend had a whopping 10.5 sacks last season. The Saints still want to bring him back but the sides seem to be far off on compensation.
New Orleans has the #8 pick in the 2026 Draft. After signing Etienne, Jeremyah Love is not in play (and prolly will be gone). Look for the Saints to take one of the five elite edge rushers to pair with Chase Young or Ohio State superstar safety Caleb Downs with this pick.
DC Brandon Staley highly values safeties in his scheme and Downs has the highest floor in the draft.
(The Saints could also opt to draft Ohio State LB Sonny Styles to replace Davis but drafting an inside LB in the top 10 is pretty dang rare.)
Coming off a 7-10 season in a rebuilding year, the Saints have a real shot at taking the NFC South back in 2026 and are currently +290 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
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I believe in Tyler Shough!
WHO DAT!!!
