The New Orleans Saints in the Derek Carr era have been very average to be quite frank as perhaps quarterback Derek Carr with one playoff appearance in 11 seasons starting is just an average caliber starter at the position although he can be very effective. They fired head coach Dennis Allen in the middle of the 2024 campaign and have now hired Eagles Super Bowl winning offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as the head coach of the team. It remains to be seen if Moore can right the ship for the Saints going forward as the team has failed to qualify for postseason play since Drew Brees retired after the 2020 season. The team in my estimation is similar to the likes of the Cowboys and Seahawks and seem to be trending in no mans-land as a franchise. All three teams have quarterbacks with average-caliber arms who are unathletic. All three teams missed the playoffs last season and none of the three teams seem to me as if they have what it takes to contend for a Super Bowl in the near future. Perhaps in the case of all three teams, including the Saints, seeking a new quarterback who is younger, more athletic, and who possesses a stronger arm would behoove each franchise. However, the Saints have given no indication that they will go in a different direction at the quarterback position for next season. Quarterback Derek Carr can be very effective but is not a superstar at the position but he is certainly someone who the Saints can contend to win the division and make the playoffs with. In the 10 games he played in over the course of the 2024 season he ranked 10th among all quarterbacks in terms of passer rating and was graded as the 4th best passer in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. When the team had quarterback Derek Carr at the helm they were in pretty good shape. They had won their first two games by a combined 52 points albeit against the likes of the Panthers and Cowboys. The next three weeks against the likes of the Eagles, Falcons, and Chiefs, the Saints looked formidable despite losing all three games. Against the eventual Super Bowl Champion Eagles, New Orleans lost by only 3 points. Against the Atlanta Falcons who were in contention to win the division and make the postseason up until the very end of the season, New Orleans lost by only 2 points. Against the eventual AFC Champions and at that point the two-time defending Super Bowl Champion Chiefs, the Saints were in a tight game in the 4th quarter on the road that they ended up losing by only 13 points. Once Derek Carr went out with an injury the narrative unfortunately changed for New Orleans however. As the Saints lost the next 3 games by 3 possessions each with Rattler at the helm instead of Carr. Once Carr came back the team regained form and went 3-2 over the next 5 games with the only two losses coming to the Panthers by 1 point on the road and by 1 touchdown to the Los Angeles Rams. Carr once again went down with injury and the Saints proceeded to lose all four of their remaining games. Twice in respectable fashion by 1 point to the Commanders and by one possession to Tampa Bay. Twice in unremarkable fashion to the Raiders by multiple possessions and an ugly 34-0 loss to the Packers.
On the offensive side of the ball the Saints really struggled this past season ranking 24th in points scored and 21st in yards accumulated with Pro Football Focus grading their offense as the 23rd best offense in the NFL during the 2024 regular season. Quarterback Derek Carr, who was effective when he did play, unfortunately was only able to participate in 10 games for the team. When Carr was not playing due to injury the team got very erratic and ineffective play from the likes of Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener at the position. Defensive minded head coach Dennis Allen was fired in the middle of the season and was replaced by special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi. So, the team was getting amongst the weakest coaching on the offensive side of the ball in the NFL from two coaches who were not NFL caliber head coaches who were not even offensive minded either. The team has now hired Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as the next head coach of the franchise so from an offensive coaching standpoint the team should be in much better shape in the 2025 season. The coaching and the quarterback play was not the only thing that led to the Saints’ demise on the offensive end this past season as the personnel of the team left much to be desired as well. I have conducted an analysis of each unit of the Saints offensive personnel beginning with their offensive line. I have included the offense grade that each player was given during the 2024 campaign. As well as a subjective grade that I have given each player that encompasses how strong of players I deem to be in totality outside of just 2024 factoring in yearly statistical output and subjective grades that were given to them by Pro Football Focus. That analysis that I conducted for the offensive line of the team can be found below. I have also included where the Saints as an overall unit ranked in each of the key offensive line measuring markers as well.
Saints starting offensive line from 2024
LT – Taliese Fuaga – (51/87) offense grade in 2024 over 1070 snaps, 2024 first round pick, C to C+
LG – Lucas Patrick – (40/83) offense grade in 2024 over 562 snaps, C+ to B-, free agent
C – Erik McCoy – (1/43) offense grade in 2024 over 293 snaps, B+ to A-
RG – Cesar Ruiz – (26/83) offense grade in 2024 over 813 snaps, B to B-
RT – Trevor Penning – (63/87) offense grade in 2024 over 1081 snaps, C to C+
Saints key offensive line reserves
C/G – Connor McGovern – (33/43) offense grade in 2024 over 369 snaps, C+
C – Shane Lemieux – (43/43) offense grade in 2024 over 337 snaps, D+, free agent
T/G – Landon Young – (67/83) offense grade in 2024 over 393 snaps, C to C-, free agent
G – Nick Saldiveri – (66/83) offense grade in 2024 over 344 snaps, C
T – Olisaemeka Udoh – (99/141) offense grade in 2024 over 149 snaps, C to C+, free agent
Saints key offensive line measures
Pass blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus – 32nd
Run blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus – 11th
Sacks allowed – 13th
Pass blocking efficiency – 18th
As you can see from the above data the New Orleans Saints really struggled on the offensive front this past season. Outside of center Erik McCoy, who is very effective but not quite elite in my estimation, the remaining offensive line starters are all mediocre to average caliber players. The issues on the offensive line become exacerbated when you consider McCoy missed most of the 2024 season. Trevor Penning, Cesar Ruiz, and Taliese Fuaga are all former first round picks who have not been busts but have certainly all underwhelmed thus far in the NFL. Penning as a 2022 first round pick has shown some flashes of excellence thus far in the NFL. In three seasons I have logged his pass blocking efficiency mark along with his run blocking grade mark and he ranked above average on 3 of the 6 occasions. However, in three seasons his offense grades have read as the following, (24/87), (63/87), and (69/89). Unfortunately, the (24/87) marking came in his first season where he played only 124 snaps and the remaining two markings which were below average came in seasons where he played extended snaps. There is still reason to be optimistic about his future prospects as an offensive lineman in the NFL based on the above. But Penning in totality has underwhelmed and although he can be effective in the future, I think it is unlikely he evolves into a star at the position like the Saints expected to get drafting him in the first round. Guard Cesar Ruiz can be highly effective but is highly erratic. Ruiz after ranking below average in his first two seasons as a pass protector has ranked above average to well above average in that department for three straight seasons now including a (6/83) mark in 2024. Ruiz is known for being stout in pass protection but struggling as a run blocker. In seasons 1-4 Ruiz has ranked below average in terms of run blocking grade but in his 5th season in 2024 he ranked above average in that department for the first time in his career. Ruiz, if he puts it all together, can be among the better guards in the NFL and hopefully new head coach Kellen Moore can unlock his full potential. Left tackle Taliese Fuaga who was a first-round pick in 2024 struggled as a rookie but did show some promise. His development will be key for the Saints going forward on the offensive front as well. Overall, the Saints offensive line is contingent upon the development of the young first round pick tackles and guard Cesar Ruiz becoming more consistent. The Eagles and Lions, who are almost inarguably the two best teams in the NFC when healthy have two of the premier offensive lines in the NFL. New Orleans has what it takes to reach that level from a talent standpoint on the offensive front. They just need the tackles to develop, they need Ruiz to become more consistent, they need center McCoy to stay healthy, and they should look into acquiring another offensive lineman in the off-season to fill the left guard spot as well. McCoy is amongst the best centers when on his A-game, Ruiz is amongst the better guards when on his A-game, and if the two first round tackles can start to play like first rounders, the Saints offensive line will be very stout going forward especially if they can add an impact player to fill the remaining guard position. I have conducted a similar analysis of the team’s skill position players which can be found below.
Saints key skill position players
HB1 – Alvin Kamara – (22/57) offense grade in 2024 in 14 games, B+
HB2 – Jamaal Williams – (42/58) offense grade in 2024 in 14 games, C to C+
HB3 – Kendre Miller – (25/58) offense grade in 2024 in 6 games, C+
TE1 – Juwan Johnson – (13/45) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, B to B-, free agent
TE2 – Foster Moreau – (15/45) offense grade in 2024 in 17 games, C+
TE3 – Taysom Hill – (13/45) offense grade in 2024 in 8 games, B
WR1 – Chris Olave – (15/110) offense grade in 2024 in 8 games, A-
WR2 – Rashid Shaheed – (59/110) offense grade in 2024 in 6 games, C+ to B-
WR3 – Marquez Valdes-Scantling – (88/110) offense grade in 2024 in 14 games, C, free agent
WR4 – Cedrick Wilson Jr – (79/110) offense grade in 2024 in 15 games, C to C+
As you can see from the above data the collection of talent that the Saints have at the skill positions is indeed noteworthy. Chris Olave as a first-round pick has not disappointed in the NFL thus far and the only reason he did not warrant a grade higher than A- is because he has yet to produce at an elite statistical level. Perhaps with a healthy Derek Carr and now an offensive minded head coach in Kellen Moore he can begin to do that. Juwan Johnson is one of the most underrated players in the NFL as he consistently grades at an above average to a well above average clip at the tight end spot according to Pro Football Focus. He, similar to Olave, also has not been able to produce the high-level statistical output either. He is a free agent entering the offseason and New Orleans should look to retain him as he will likely produce elite statistical output and begin to emerge as one of the household names at the tight end spot if paired with an elite quarterback. Alvin Kamara is inconsistent and aging but is still among the most effective backs in the NFL when on his A-game. Perhaps Kamara can have an elite caliber year in 2025 as he has in years past, with Carr being healthy, an improvement on the offensive line, and with new offensive minded head coach Kellen Moore. Taysom Hill, Rashid Shaheed, and Jamaal Williams offer the Saints some high-end capabilities as gadget players and as the team’s number two halfback and wide receiver. New Orleans, however, lacks the presence of a consistent reliable number two wide receiver that complements Olave. Addressing the number two wide out spot should be a point of emphasis entering the offseason for the franchise. Williams is solid but not spectacular complementing Kamara out the backfield with 2023 third round pick Kendre Miller being effective out the backfield as well in his limited time in the NFL. The Saints overall offensive rankings for the 2024 season can be found below.
Saints 2024 offensive rankings
Offense grade according to Pro Football Focus – 23rd
Points per game – 24th
Yards per game – 21st
As you can see from the above data the New Orleans Saints were a very mediocre offensive team over the course of the 2024 campaign. There is reason to believe that the team and the fanbase can see a strong improvement going into 2025. Quarterback Derek Carr will likely be healthier and not miss several starts. The team’s head coaching position specifically as it pertained to the offensive side was in flux this past season. Defensive minded head coach Dennis Allen was terminated in the middle of the season with special team’s coordinator Darren Rizzi taking the helm for the rest of the season. Two of the young high draft picks on the Saints offensive line were underdeveloped in 2024. The team’s most reliable offensive lineman missed most of the season on an offensive line that was young and inconsistent to begin with. New Orleans can expect to stay healthier next season on offense with a new young offensive minded head coach. If New Orleans can see strong development from their young tackles, if new head coach Kellen Moore and Derek Carr really click in year 1 together, if the team can re-sign tight end Juwan Johnson, if the team can add another strong viable interior offensive lineman/a legitimate #2 wide out, and above all else if the team can stay healthier. New Orleans can expect to have one of the premier offenses in the NFC if not the NFL in 2025. Those are a ton of ifs however that will especially be hard to come by considering that the Saints currently rank last in the NFL in cap space. The Eagles and the Lions are the class of the NFC if not the NFL, from a raw talent standpoint on the offensive line, New Orleans is in a similar class as those two teams. From a #1 wide out, #1 halfback, and #1 tight end standpoint the Saints are on the same level as those two teams. From a quarterback talent standpoint, Carr can be close enough to Hurts and Goff as well when he is on his A-game. New Orleans just needs to add a secondary wide receiver, re-sign tight end Juwan Johnson, and take the offensive line play up a notch as well to be right on the same level from a personnel standpoint to the Eagles and Lions on offense in the NFC. If that were that were to happen, Carr and new head coach Kellen Moore would need to prove that they can be on a similar level to the Eagles and Lions from an offensive coaching and quarterbacking standpoint as well.
The defensive side of the ball for New Orleans was even more concerning than the offensive end for the Saints as the team ranked among the weakest teams in the NFL on the defensive end over the course of the 2024 season. The defensive ranks for the Saints over the course of this past season can be found below.
Saints key defensive rankings
19th in points per game allowed
30th in yards per game allowed
31st in defense grade according to Pro Football Focus
Now terminated defensive minded head coach was clearly not cut out for the job as his specialty which was the defensive end really lacked during the 2024 season. This weak trend on the defensive end unfortunately continued after his dismissal as the team transitioned to interim head coach Darren Rizzi. The coaching as is the case with any team is not the only barometer that dictates output as the team’s personnel also lacked. Similar to the analysis that I conducted of the team’s offensive personnel, I conducted a similar analysis of the team’s defensive personnel as well which can be found below.
Saints key defensive lineman
DL1- Bryan Bresee – (139/146) defense grade in 2024 over 708 snaps, D+, 2023 first round pick
DL2 – Nathan Shepherd – (131/146) defense grade in 2024 over 567 snaps, C to C+
DL3 – Khalen Saunders – (88/146) defense grade in 2024 over 460 snaps, C to C+
DL4 – John Ridgeway – (113/146) defense grade in 2024 over 263 snaps, D+ to C-
ED1 – Carl Granderson – (18/135) defense grade in 2024 over 825 snaps, B to B+
ED2 – Chase Young – (54/135) defense grade in 2024 over 740 snaps, B to B+, free agent
ED3 – Cameron Jordan – (98/135) defense grade in 2024 over 565 snaps, C+ to B-
ED4 – Payton Turner – (116/135) defense grade in 2024 over 335 snaps, C+, 2021 first round pick, free agent
ED5 – Isaiah Foskey – (109/135) defense grade in 2024 over 65 snaps, C, 2023 second round pick
The Saints defensive line was one of the weaker units in the NFL this past season ranking below average to well below average in all the major indicators of defensive line play. The unit is unfortunately marred by high draft picks who have been mostly busts thus far along with a now aging veteran star as well. Bryan Bresee as a 2023 first round pick has graded as well below average among all defensive lineman in each of his first two NFL seasons. Chase Young has been effective in the NFL thus far but has yet to live up to the billing as a #2 overall pick. Once star Cameron Jordan had the weakest season of his career as he is now aging and dealing with injuries more. Payton Turner has really underwhelmed as a former first round pick. Isaiah Foskey has also been underwhelming in the limited snaps he has played as a former second round pick. Outside of that Carl Granderson is very effective but certainly not a superstar at the position. Shepherd and Saunders give the Saints relatively mediocre production on the defensive line with Ridgeway typically struggling when on the field. Going into the 2025 season and beyond the Saints will need to see some of the young high draft picks on the roster begin to live up to expectations. They will need to re-sign Chase Young and have him take his level of play up a notch or two as well. They will also need Cameron Jordan to recapture his form, although he is aging. The Saints should also look to poor some assets this offseason into the defensive line as it was one of the weakest units in professional football over the 2024 season. I have conducted a similar evaluation of the team’s linebacking unit as I have done for the offense and the defensive line which can be found below.
Saints key linebackers
LB1 – Demario Davis – (19/92) defense grade in 2024 over 1090 snaps, B+ to A-
LB2 – Pete Werner – (29/92) defense grade in 2024 over 731 snaps, B to B-
LB3 – Willie Gay – (89/92) defense grade in 2024 over 277 snaps, C+
LB4 – Nephi Sewell – (9/92) defense grade in 2024 58 snaps, A in very limited snaps, free agent
The New Orleans linebacking unit was a bright spot of the team as Demario Davis and Pete Werner formed one of the better linebacking tandems in the NFL this past season. However, the production of the front seven of the team was still very weak in totality as neither linebacker is a superstar at the position and the defensive line of the team was still far too weak. I have conducted a similar evaluation for the secondary of the New Orleans Saints which can be found below.
Saints key secondary players
CB1 – Alontae Taylor – (124/128) defense grade over 1075 snaps in 2024, D+, 2022 second round pick
CB2 – Marshon Lattimore – (25/128) defense grade over 410 snaps in 2024, B+, traded midseason
CB3 – Kool-Aid McKinstry – (55/128) defense grade over 680 snaps in 2024, B so far as 2024 second round pick
CB4 – Ugo Amadi – (103/128) defense grade over 527 snaps in 2024, C+, free agent
CB5 – Paulson Adebo – (70/128) defense grade over 436 snaps in 2024, C+ to B-, free agent
S1 – Tyrann Mathieu – (68/104) defense grade over 1015 snaps in 2024, B to B-
S2 – Will Harris – (60/104) defense grade over 860 snaps in 2024, C, free agent
S3 – Jordan Howden – (36/104) defense grade over 550 snaps in 2024, B to B-
The team’s secondary similar to the rest of the team is unfortunately negatively affected by draft bust(s) and aging players who have become increasingly inconsistent and unreliable. Alontae Taylor as a second-round pick in the 2022 draft has consistently ranked among the worst corners in the league in every season he has played since entering the NFL. Marshon Lattimore was highly effective for New Orleans as he usually is but was traded midseason to the Commanders. Kool-Aid McKinstry is one of the few bright spots for the Saints on the defensive side of the ball as he was consistently above average as a 2024 second round pick in his rookie campaign. Tyrann Mathieu who was once a star in the NFL had one of his worst seasons as he is aging, similar to Cameron Jordan. Jordan Howden is also a bright spot for New Orleans as he has been effective taking snaps in a reserve/rotational role for the team. Perhaps Howden can start to take starter snaps from next season onwards.
Overall, on the defensive end the Saints were one of the weakest teams in the NFL in 2024 and project to be one of the weakest teams in the league heading into 2025. They have more than a few young players who were high draft picks who have been mostly busts thus far on the defensive end. They have a few aging stars whose best days are behind them who both had career worst years in the 2024 season as well. However, there is reason for optimism in that many of the young players can perhaps still start living up to expectations as high draft picks. Perhaps Cameron Jordan and Tyrann Mathieu can find their A game once again even though they are aging.
The Saints will be a tough out in the 2025 season as they were with a healthy Carr in the 2024 season. However, they have far too many holes on the roster, they have whiffed on far too many high draft picks and have far too little cap space as well for me to see them being a legitimate Super Bowl threat in the 2025 season as of now. Outside of just the 2025 season, New Orleans needs to reassess their plans in totality as they seem to be in no mans land as a franchise. Having ostensibly whiffed on so many high draft picks thus far, having the fewest amount of cap space, Carr being a relatively average player at QB, and head coach Kellen Moore being totally unproven. Perhaps New Orleans should hit the reset button as a franchise and start trading players including Carr at QB just like they did with star cornerback Marshon Lattimore. The only player I would not consider trading would be wide out Chris Olave, who has flourished as a first-round pick and who is still entering his prime. The Saints with a healthy Carr will likely threaten to win the NFC South and make the postseason, but it feels as if the team has a ceiling to them.