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Predicting the Saints’ Week 1 starters
Posted on 5/24/18 at 12:45 am
Posted on 5/24/18 at 12:45 am
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QUARTERBACK: DREW BREES
Last season, Brees established an NFL record for passing efficiency, completing 72 percent of his pass attempts, and this season after signing a two year contract to remain in New Orleans is uniquely positioned to help put the Saints back into contention to win their second Super Bowl. He has the run game, the receivers, and the protection to get it done.
RUNNING BACK: ALVIN KAMARA
Ideally, this position would be occupied by Mark Ingram, but thanks to a four game NFL suspension handed down this offseason, the Saints will be deprived one half of a backfield that last season scored the most rushing touchdowns. But now, the team must look to another option to open up the regular season, and that appears to be the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, but the Saints will look to spread things out more evenly.
WIDE RECEIVER 1: MICHAEL THOMAS
Entering his third NFL season, Thomas has already left quite an imprint on the team that drafted him, establishing the Saints record for receptions in a season and surpassing 1,000 yards in each of his two outings. He enters 2018 as their No. 1 target once again as the trigger man on a passing offense that ranked No. 2 overall in 2017.
WIDE RECEIVER 2: TED GINN
The veteran wideout and special teams man came to New Orleans last March as a free agent from the rival Carolina Panthers, and made a very positive impact right from the start. In 15 games, he would record 53 catches, his third most ever, for 787 yards, his most since 2008, his second year in the league, and caught four touchdowns. In the Wild Card Round against Carolina, he had four receptions for 115 yards and a score. Now, the 33 year old will look to match that success again in 2018.
SLOT RECEIVER: CAMERON MEREDITH
Meredith should be considered the Saints’ leading option at the slot receiver position, where he has proved remarkably efficient when targeted, especially when playing against zone coverage. According to NFL Media’s calculation, Meredith had a 78 percent success rate in the zone in Weeks 5 through 10, a mark that shot up to an astonishing 91 percent in Weeks 12 to 16. Compare those numbers to a league average of 73 percent success for slot receivers in zone coverage.
FULLBACK: ZACH LINE
The Saints are among a few teams in the NFL who still employ the fullback position, and last season they used it with some success, thanks in no small part to Line, who entered the rotation as starter after veteran John Kuhn was lost prior to their Week 4 game in London. Line is expected to assume the starting job again, but he will have some competition this summer after the Saints signed Ryan Yurachek, a converted collegiate tight end.
LEFT TACKLE: TERRON ARMSTEAD
Prior to the 2016 season, Armstead signed a five year extension worth $65 million to anchor Drew Brees’ blind side, but after starting the first two games that year was forced out of action for two weeks following a knee injury, and he was ultimately placed on injured reserve. Injuries would come to call again the following June in minicamp, when Armstead suffered a torn labrum. Given a six month recovery time, he rehabbed better than expected and started 10 games at left tackle.
LEFT GUARD: ANDRUS PEAT
A former first round pick in 2015 from Stanford, Peat subbed for Armstead at left tackle for two games in his second season, a role he would reprise when Armstead went down again briefly, though started 14 games at his guard position. Unfortunately, a leg injury suffered in the playoffs landed him on injured reserve, but this offseason Peat had his fifth year contract option picked up.
CENTER: MAX UNGER
Originally a second round pick by Seattle nine years ago, Unger came to New Orleans prior to the 2015 season in a trade that sent tight end Jimmy Graham to the Seahawks. Last May, Unger suffered a foot injury and was expected to miss most of the season, but he was able to recover ahead of schedule and was the Saints starter for all of 2017.
RIGHT GUARD: LARRY WARFORD
A third round pick by Detroit in 2013, Warford landed with the Saints last March after signing a four year contract. In his first season with the team, he started 14 eventual games, missing two after suffering an abdomen injury, though would score his first career Pro Bowl appearance.
RIGHT TACKLE: RYAN RAMCZYK
The Saints No. 32 pick last year from Wisconsin, Ramczyk made his NFL debut as a left tackle in place of Terron Armstead and would start four games there before assuming the right tackle job after Zach Strief was lost for the year with a knee injury. Strief retired in 2018 after 12 years with the team, paving the way for Ramczyk to retain the position.
QUARTERBACK: DREW BREES
Last season, Brees established an NFL record for passing efficiency, completing 72 percent of his pass attempts, and this season after signing a two year contract to remain in New Orleans is uniquely positioned to help put the Saints back into contention to win their second Super Bowl. He has the run game, the receivers, and the protection to get it done.
RUNNING BACK: ALVIN KAMARA
Ideally, this position would be occupied by Mark Ingram, but thanks to a four game NFL suspension handed down this offseason, the Saints will be deprived one half of a backfield that last season scored the most rushing touchdowns. But now, the team must look to another option to open up the regular season, and that appears to be the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, but the Saints will look to spread things out more evenly.
WIDE RECEIVER 1: MICHAEL THOMAS
Entering his third NFL season, Thomas has already left quite an imprint on the team that drafted him, establishing the Saints record for receptions in a season and surpassing 1,000 yards in each of his two outings. He enters 2018 as their No. 1 target once again as the trigger man on a passing offense that ranked No. 2 overall in 2017.
WIDE RECEIVER 2: TED GINN
The veteran wideout and special teams man came to New Orleans last March as a free agent from the rival Carolina Panthers, and made a very positive impact right from the start. In 15 games, he would record 53 catches, his third most ever, for 787 yards, his most since 2008, his second year in the league, and caught four touchdowns. In the Wild Card Round against Carolina, he had four receptions for 115 yards and a score. Now, the 33 year old will look to match that success again in 2018.
SLOT RECEIVER: CAMERON MEREDITH
Meredith should be considered the Saints’ leading option at the slot receiver position, where he has proved remarkably efficient when targeted, especially when playing against zone coverage. According to NFL Media’s calculation, Meredith had a 78 percent success rate in the zone in Weeks 5 through 10, a mark that shot up to an astonishing 91 percent in Weeks 12 to 16. Compare those numbers to a league average of 73 percent success for slot receivers in zone coverage.
FULLBACK: ZACH LINE
The Saints are among a few teams in the NFL who still employ the fullback position, and last season they used it with some success, thanks in no small part to Line, who entered the rotation as starter after veteran John Kuhn was lost prior to their Week 4 game in London. Line is expected to assume the starting job again, but he will have some competition this summer after the Saints signed Ryan Yurachek, a converted collegiate tight end.
LEFT TACKLE: TERRON ARMSTEAD
Prior to the 2016 season, Armstead signed a five year extension worth $65 million to anchor Drew Brees’ blind side, but after starting the first two games that year was forced out of action for two weeks following a knee injury, and he was ultimately placed on injured reserve. Injuries would come to call again the following June in minicamp, when Armstead suffered a torn labrum. Given a six month recovery time, he rehabbed better than expected and started 10 games at left tackle.
LEFT GUARD: ANDRUS PEAT
A former first round pick in 2015 from Stanford, Peat subbed for Armstead at left tackle for two games in his second season, a role he would reprise when Armstead went down again briefly, though started 14 games at his guard position. Unfortunately, a leg injury suffered in the playoffs landed him on injured reserve, but this offseason Peat had his fifth year contract option picked up.
CENTER: MAX UNGER
Originally a second round pick by Seattle nine years ago, Unger came to New Orleans prior to the 2015 season in a trade that sent tight end Jimmy Graham to the Seahawks. Last May, Unger suffered a foot injury and was expected to miss most of the season, but he was able to recover ahead of schedule and was the Saints starter for all of 2017.
RIGHT GUARD: LARRY WARFORD
A third round pick by Detroit in 2013, Warford landed with the Saints last March after signing a four year contract. In his first season with the team, he started 14 eventual games, missing two after suffering an abdomen injury, though would score his first career Pro Bowl appearance.
RIGHT TACKLE: RYAN RAMCZYK
The Saints No. 32 pick last year from Wisconsin, Ramczyk made his NFL debut as a left tackle in place of Terron Armstead and would start four games there before assuming the right tackle job after Zach Strief was lost for the year with a knee injury. Strief retired in 2018 after 12 years with the team, paving the way for Ramczyk to retain the position.
6
Posted on 5/24/18 at 12:45 am to GMoney2600
RIGHT DEFENSIVE END: ALEX OKAFOR
Okafor will return to the position he occupied after coming to New Orleans from the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent and then signing a two year contract with the Saints in the 2018 offseason. He recorded a career best in tackles and had his second most sacks ever before being lost to injury late in the year. Rookie first round pick Marcus Davenport will also get some consideration at this position.
RIGHT DEFENSIVE TACKLE: TYELER DAVISON
Davison, the Saints former fifth round pick from 2015, handled most of the snaps from the defensive interior in the 2017 season, and figures to again, unless he gets some serious competition from Jay Bromley, the former Giants lineman who came to New Orleans this offseason as a free agent. Head coach Sean Payton says he has a definite plan for Bromley, which we will see as the summer wears on.
LEFT DEFENSIVE TACKLE: SHELDON RANKINS
A first round pick from Louisville in 2016 for the Saints, Rankins was deprived of much of his rookie campaign, limited to just nine games after suffering a broken fibula in a summer practice. But in 2017, he was a 16 game starter on the inside after Nick Fairley was declared out following the discovery of a heart condition. He figures to be another dominant force up front again in 2018.
LEFT DEFENSIVE END: CAMERON JORDAN
In 2017, Jordan recorded 13 sacks, the NFL’s third-most, broke up 11 passes, and grabbed 17 tackles for loss, the famed “triple-double” that he had been chasing. This offseason, he had a minor procedure on his foot, but is expected to be fully recovered by the time the Saints meet up for their offseason practice.
WEAK SIDE LINEBACKER: ALEX ANZALONE
The former Florida product impressed coaches during his initial showing in the training camp portion before being assigned the starting position on the weak side. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury claimed his rookie season in Week 4, but Anzalone will return to his slot to begin the 2018 season.
MIDDLE LINEBACKER: DEMARIO DAVIS
Davis is coming off perhaps his best pro season, racking up 97 tackles and five sacks as a member of the New York Jets’ starting defense, a unit he joined prior to the 2017 season for a second stint after appearing with the franchise from 2012 to 2015. Now, he looks to shore up the Saints run defense in the middle of the field after coming to New Orleans this offseason as a free agent.
STRONG SIDE LINEBACKER: A.J. KLEIN
Klein came to the Saints as a free agent last offseason, signing a three year contract. His initial season went well, recording 54 tackles, two sacks, and breaking up four passes before succumbing to a groin injury in Week 14 action, one of 20 eventual Saints players to land on the injured reserve. A key to their success on defense will be their ability to maintain some semblance of health among their starters.
RIGHT CORNERBACK: MARSHON LATTIMORE
The reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year returns to his position with an eye on maintaining the dominance he established in the secondary after being drafted in the first round last spring. Lattimore led all NFL rookies with five interceptions, one of which he scored for a touchdown. He racked up 52 total tackles on the season, forced a fumble, and broke up 18 passes, a team-high overall and the most among rookie defensive players at any position. He did not allow a touchdown scored in his coverage all season.
SLOT CORNERBACK: PATRICK ROBINSON
Robinson returns to the team that originally drafted him, in the first round of the 2010 draft from Florida State. He was with the organization until 2014, when he joined the San Diego Chargers. A stint in Indianapolis followed before he signed with the Eagles prior to the 2017 season. In 16 games for the Super Bowl champions, Robinson racked up 46 tackles, a career-high four interceptions, and 18 pass breakups. In his career, the 30-year-old has 14 interceptions and 302 tackles.
LEFT CORNERBACK: KEN CRAWLEY
At one point last season, Crawley was the highest graded cornerback in the NFL by Pro Football Focus, especially after his season debut in Week 4 against Miami, in which he recorded an interception that helped preserve a shutout. But his production balanced out over the course of the year as teams targeted him more heavily in an effort to avoid Lattimore. He should keep his outside position with Robinson focused more in the slot.
FREE SAFETY: VONN BELL
Judging who will start and who will back up at the safety position is difficult for the Saints, especially after they signed free agent Kurt Coleman away from Carolina. It is entirely feasible that he and Bell, and Marcus Williams, all share some kind of prominent role, particularly when recalling the kind of three safety sets the Saints run. Either way, both are stellar options.
STRONG SAFETY: MARCUS WILLIAMS
Unfortunately, the rookie will be remembered for that one missed tackle at the end of the NFC Divisional Round to end the 2017 season, allowing Stefon Diggs to score the game winning touchdown over the Saints, but on the whole the former Utah standout had an outstanding first NFL campaign, missing just five tackles out of a hundred, the fifth best mark among all safeties, regardless of experience.
Okafor will return to the position he occupied after coming to New Orleans from the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent and then signing a two year contract with the Saints in the 2018 offseason. He recorded a career best in tackles and had his second most sacks ever before being lost to injury late in the year. Rookie first round pick Marcus Davenport will also get some consideration at this position.
RIGHT DEFENSIVE TACKLE: TYELER DAVISON
Davison, the Saints former fifth round pick from 2015, handled most of the snaps from the defensive interior in the 2017 season, and figures to again, unless he gets some serious competition from Jay Bromley, the former Giants lineman who came to New Orleans this offseason as a free agent. Head coach Sean Payton says he has a definite plan for Bromley, which we will see as the summer wears on.
LEFT DEFENSIVE TACKLE: SHELDON RANKINS
A first round pick from Louisville in 2016 for the Saints, Rankins was deprived of much of his rookie campaign, limited to just nine games after suffering a broken fibula in a summer practice. But in 2017, he was a 16 game starter on the inside after Nick Fairley was declared out following the discovery of a heart condition. He figures to be another dominant force up front again in 2018.
LEFT DEFENSIVE END: CAMERON JORDAN
In 2017, Jordan recorded 13 sacks, the NFL’s third-most, broke up 11 passes, and grabbed 17 tackles for loss, the famed “triple-double” that he had been chasing. This offseason, he had a minor procedure on his foot, but is expected to be fully recovered by the time the Saints meet up for their offseason practice.
WEAK SIDE LINEBACKER: ALEX ANZALONE
The former Florida product impressed coaches during his initial showing in the training camp portion before being assigned the starting position on the weak side. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury claimed his rookie season in Week 4, but Anzalone will return to his slot to begin the 2018 season.
MIDDLE LINEBACKER: DEMARIO DAVIS
Davis is coming off perhaps his best pro season, racking up 97 tackles and five sacks as a member of the New York Jets’ starting defense, a unit he joined prior to the 2017 season for a second stint after appearing with the franchise from 2012 to 2015. Now, he looks to shore up the Saints run defense in the middle of the field after coming to New Orleans this offseason as a free agent.
STRONG SIDE LINEBACKER: A.J. KLEIN
Klein came to the Saints as a free agent last offseason, signing a three year contract. His initial season went well, recording 54 tackles, two sacks, and breaking up four passes before succumbing to a groin injury in Week 14 action, one of 20 eventual Saints players to land on the injured reserve. A key to their success on defense will be their ability to maintain some semblance of health among their starters.
RIGHT CORNERBACK: MARSHON LATTIMORE
The reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year returns to his position with an eye on maintaining the dominance he established in the secondary after being drafted in the first round last spring. Lattimore led all NFL rookies with five interceptions, one of which he scored for a touchdown. He racked up 52 total tackles on the season, forced a fumble, and broke up 18 passes, a team-high overall and the most among rookie defensive players at any position. He did not allow a touchdown scored in his coverage all season.
SLOT CORNERBACK: PATRICK ROBINSON
Robinson returns to the team that originally drafted him, in the first round of the 2010 draft from Florida State. He was with the organization until 2014, when he joined the San Diego Chargers. A stint in Indianapolis followed before he signed with the Eagles prior to the 2017 season. In 16 games for the Super Bowl champions, Robinson racked up 46 tackles, a career-high four interceptions, and 18 pass breakups. In his career, the 30-year-old has 14 interceptions and 302 tackles.
LEFT CORNERBACK: KEN CRAWLEY
At one point last season, Crawley was the highest graded cornerback in the NFL by Pro Football Focus, especially after his season debut in Week 4 against Miami, in which he recorded an interception that helped preserve a shutout. But his production balanced out over the course of the year as teams targeted him more heavily in an effort to avoid Lattimore. He should keep his outside position with Robinson focused more in the slot.
FREE SAFETY: VONN BELL
Judging who will start and who will back up at the safety position is difficult for the Saints, especially after they signed free agent Kurt Coleman away from Carolina. It is entirely feasible that he and Bell, and Marcus Williams, all share some kind of prominent role, particularly when recalling the kind of three safety sets the Saints run. Either way, both are stellar options.
STRONG SAFETY: MARCUS WILLIAMS
Unfortunately, the rookie will be remembered for that one missed tackle at the end of the NFC Divisional Round to end the 2017 season, allowing Stefon Diggs to score the game winning touchdown over the Saints, but on the whole the former Utah standout had an outstanding first NFL campaign, missing just five tackles out of a hundred, the fifth best mark among all safeties, regardless of experience.
Posted on 5/24/18 at 12:54 am to GMoney2600
They're assuming that we start with 3 WR's instead of a TE. I'm assuming they think Ben Watson would start if we trotted a TE out there. The offense is basically spot on & extremely easy to predict imo.
Hopefully Okafor is ready for week 1. You would have to think that either Davenport, Hendrickson, or George Johnson would start if Okafor can't go week 1.
I think Davison will start & be in the game during most running situations. Onyemata will probably get more total snaps though (like last year). Onyemata (still improving) can produce against both the run & pass, while Davison is basically a run stopping specialist. Jay Bromley might even eat into some of their minutes as well.
I think Anzalone & Robertson have about an equal chance to start at WLB. WLB could go either way & I'd be happy with both guys. As much as some people won't like this...I'd be surprised if Klein didn't start at SLB. Either way...Klein better not be in the game when we run a 4-2-5 (nickel). It better be Anzalone, Robertson, or Davis when we run nickel. Klein & Te'o are a liability in pass coverage.
For some reason this article has Marcus Williams listed as a Strong Safety & Bell listed as a Free Safety. That's backwards. Obviously, Marcus Williams is a lock to start at Free Safety. Not sure who will start at Strong Safety, but I think Bell & Kurt Coleman will do a lot of rotating all year depending on the situation.
Hopefully Okafor is ready for week 1. You would have to think that either Davenport, Hendrickson, or George Johnson would start if Okafor can't go week 1.
I think Davison will start & be in the game during most running situations. Onyemata will probably get more total snaps though (like last year). Onyemata (still improving) can produce against both the run & pass, while Davison is basically a run stopping specialist. Jay Bromley might even eat into some of their minutes as well.
I think Anzalone & Robertson have about an equal chance to start at WLB. WLB could go either way & I'd be happy with both guys. As much as some people won't like this...I'd be surprised if Klein didn't start at SLB. Either way...Klein better not be in the game when we run a 4-2-5 (nickel). It better be Anzalone, Robertson, or Davis when we run nickel. Klein & Te'o are a liability in pass coverage.
For some reason this article has Marcus Williams listed as a Strong Safety & Bell listed as a Free Safety. That's backwards. Obviously, Marcus Williams is a lock to start at Free Safety. Not sure who will start at Strong Safety, but I think Bell & Kurt Coleman will do a lot of rotating all year depending on the situation.
This post was edited on 5/24/18 at 1:04 am
Posted on 5/24/18 at 6:29 am to GMoney2600
CHAMPIONSHIP!!! We ridin’ This year baws!!!
Posted on 5/24/18 at 6:30 am to GMoney2600
Our depth chart is really solid. One of the deeper saints teams that I can remember going into OTA/training camp
This post was edited on 5/24/18 at 6:31 am
Posted on 5/24/18 at 7:58 am to GMoney2600
Coleman gonna start after that contract.
Bell is gonna have a battle with some other guys to see the field much.
P Rob will be the 5th DB now instead of the 3rd safety. Bell and PJ could see their snap count drop a lot.
Bell is gonna have a battle with some other guys to see the field much.
P Rob will be the 5th DB now instead of the 3rd safety. Bell and PJ could see their snap count drop a lot.
This post was edited on 5/24/18 at 8:01 am
Posted on 5/24/18 at 8:12 am to GMoney2600
For the first time in a long time the saints have a ton of depth everywhere.
Posted on 5/24/18 at 9:49 am to GMoney2600
Imo "starters" should be determined by total snaps, not necessarily who comes out for the first play of the game.
Also, they have 12 guys on defense but 11 on offense. They need to take out a LB and switch FB (which plays by far the least amount of snaps on offense as a position) for TE.
Health aside, I think offense is spot on minus switching FB for TE (Watson), though I think Smith gets his fair share of snaps and winds up 12th or 13th in snaps on offense.
Ingram would be the "starter" at HB if not for the suspension, and he'll likely get more snaps in the rest of the games than Kamara, but will still finish behind in total snaps, winding up 12th or 13th.
I'll have to edit my defense thoughts later.
Also, they have 12 guys on defense but 11 on offense. They need to take out a LB and switch FB (which plays by far the least amount of snaps on offense as a position) for TE.
Health aside, I think offense is spot on minus switching FB for TE (Watson), though I think Smith gets his fair share of snaps and winds up 12th or 13th in snaps on offense.
Ingram would be the "starter" at HB if not for the suspension, and he'll likely get more snaps in the rest of the games than Kamara, but will still finish behind in total snaps, winding up 12th or 13th.
I'll have to edit my defense thoughts later.
This post was edited on 5/24/18 at 9:53 am
Posted on 5/24/18 at 10:01 am to GMoney2600
quote:
SLOT RECEIVER: CAMERON MEREDITH Meredith should be considered the Saints’ leading option at the slot receiver position, where he has proved remarkably efficient when targeted, especially when playing against zone coverage. According to NFL Media’s calculation, Meredith had a 78 percent success rate in the zone in Weeks 5 through 10, a mark that shot up to an astonishing 91 percent in Weeks 12 to 16. Compare those numbers to a league average of 73 percent success for slot receivers in zone coverage.
If healthy he is gonna be huge for us.
Posted on 5/24/18 at 2:54 pm to GMoney2600
I'll get the lube.
My body is ready. Hopefully Davenport gets major reps alongside Jordan on the opposite end.
Defensive tackle is a slight worry but our linebacking Corp should be upgraded tremendously, along with secondary.
My body is ready. Hopefully Davenport gets major reps alongside Jordan on the opposite end.
Defensive tackle is a slight worry but our linebacking Corp should be upgraded tremendously, along with secondary.
Posted on 5/26/18 at 10:25 am to GMoney2600
No tight end?
Posted on 5/27/18 at 2:13 pm to GMoney2600
I was re-watching the Saints SB victory against the Colts yesterday. It struck me how average the D was. The secondary and MLB were good but the rest of D was probably just serviceable. The Saints have more talent and depth everywhere on the D now.
Honestly, I don't know if this year's team is worse talent-wise or depth-wise anywhere versus that SB-winning team. The only place might be QB only because Brees was at his peak and was younger. I'm pretty excited about this year's team. Keep Brees healthy, win that home field advantage and they'll do it again.
Honestly, I don't know if this year's team is worse talent-wise or depth-wise anywhere versus that SB-winning team. The only place might be QB only because Brees was at his peak and was younger. I'm pretty excited about this year's team. Keep Brees healthy, win that home field advantage and they'll do it again.
Posted on 5/27/18 at 3:01 pm to GMoney2600
Williams is a Free Safety. Coleman will start at Strong Safety. I’d also leave off Klein. I think we roll with the nickel package with Robinson on the field with Davis and Anzalone starting
Posted on 5/28/18 at 9:12 am to WicKed WayZ
On paper maybe the best Saints team to date
Posted on 5/28/18 at 9:28 am to GMoney2600
That offensive line is amazing!
Posted on 5/28/18 at 10:13 am to Lsujacket66
quote:
On paper maybe the best Saints team to date
2014 was the GOAT paper Saints team
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