NFL’s Under the Radar Contender:

The 2022 New Orleans Saints?

By: Michael A. Chase Jr.

08-05-2022

This coming NFL season many fans and pundits have their views of the contenders from the NFC and AFC conferences. In the NFC specifically, the popular picks for teams who are seen as contenders this coming year are those you’d expect. From the reigning Super Bowl Champions Los Angeles Rams, the Tom Brady led Buccaneers, the Aaron Rodgers-led Packers, and even the Eagles and 49ers are getting some buzz. One team I believe is flying slightly under the radar as sneaky contenders this offseason are the New Orleans Saints. The Unheralded Sports View will analyze the reasons why and how the New Orleans Saints can be a major playoff contender this coming season.

The Saints went 9-8 in 2021 and just missed making the playoffs on the final day of the regular season. They accomplished this despite the numbers of injuries at key positions and to key players across the roster. Whether it was having to deploy five different quarterbacks, play four different kickers, or even play the entire year without star receiver Michael Thomas… the Saints endured significant loss to their roster. The Saints were also able to have a winning season despite not having a 1,000-yard rusher or receiver. Plus, the fact that at no point did New Orleans win three consecutive games last season and managed 9 wins is impressive in and of itself.

One of the main reasons the Saints are set to be major contenders this year has to be that their defense – which was the strength of their team last season – saw key members return and had a few big-name additions. The Saints were able to retain leading tackler and star linebacker Demario Davis, keeping him a part of a defensive core, which includes corner MarShon Lattimore and edge rushers Cameron Jordan and Marcus Davenport. While they did lose key veteran contributors like defensive back Malcolm Jenkins and linebacker Craig Robertson to retirement, as well as safety Marcus Williams in free agency to Baltimore, they made up for these losses especially on the back end with the signings of safeties Marcus Maye from the Jets and Tyrann Mathieu of the Chiefs. Maye adds a physical safety who can play in box, while Mathieu is a versatile ball hawk who will only help add to the number of turnovers this defense can force. Adding these two players will only strengthen a unit that was top 10 in virtually every statistic. This is a defense that allowed just 20 touchdown passes (the 3rd fewest in the NFL), only 5.1 yards a play (3rd in the NFL) and was 4th in opponents’ points per game at 19.7 a contest. The Saints defense retained and added to its corps making a top 5 unit even more formidable going into this season.

The other reason the Saints are my pick to be major contenders this year is because of their offensive upgrades. The Saints offense last season ranked 28th in yards, 17th in points, and 16th in touchdowns scored as they struggled to score consistently throughout the year. This unit was ravaged by injuries at every position on offense. Now with a healthy group coming into this year with a few new faces being added, this side of the ball will be much more difficult to handle. Firstly, the Saints will be getting quarterback Jameis Winston and receiver Michael Thomas back healthy. These are significant because when healthy, Thomas is a top receiver in the league and last time we saw a healthy Winston, he helped the Saints to a 5-2 record, throwing for 1,170 yards 14 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions. Both will be very important to the major improvement of this Saints offense this coming season.

The Saints also went to the draft and free agency to find upgrades to their offense. They drafted Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave in the first round and signed free agent Jarvis Landry to add to their receiving corps. This while also drafting Northern Iowa’s Trevor Penning in the 2nd round, to replace stud tackle Terron Armstead who signed with the Dolphins this offseason. Add in the ever-versatile Alvin Kamara and if this offense can remain healthy, they can be a tough team to stop with their balance and ability to generate big plays.

Now for this prediction to come true the Saints will need these two players to be the difference makers that will push the Saints into major contention. On the offensive side it may be an easy pick, but Jameis Winston is the X-factor for the offense. Not only because he plays the most important position on the offense, but because of his high upside that could push the Saints to their potential. Winston has a big arm and showcased this before his injury last year with great deep ball accuracy. He also cut down on his turnovers, throwing just three interceptions last year. If he can be efficient and careful with the ball like he was last year, while making a couple splash plays a game, there are enough weapons around him for him to lead the Saints to being a top half of the league offense.

On defense the X-factor for this unit is going to be safety Marcus Maye. Maye is coming off a season for a bad Jets team of posting 46 total tackles and one sack while dealing with some injuries. Their secondary is already strong with shutdown corner Marshon Lattimore and newly added Tyrann Mathieu as standouts. If Maye could bounce back and play at the first-round pick pedigree he had back with New York, he adds another layer to a talented secondary. He does need to find a way to be around the ball more to help generate turnovers, but this change of scenery will be the jolt Maye needs to find the form he had his first two years in the league. If so, he will be another weapon that could cause problems on this elite Saints defense.

Now going into this season, the Saints have retooled their roster, are getting key players back from injuries, and now are set to insert themselves quietly into the playoff mix. They will need players like Winston, Thomas, and Maye among others to have to have good years for them to reach their potential. It will also be interesting to see how the transition from defensive coordinator to head coach for Dennis Allen will affect this Saints team. However, the Saints will be strong on defense and couple that with a healthy and much more competent offensive, and the Saints are major players in the NFC. Plus, add in the fact they have the secret sauce on their biggest in division rival in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and do not be surprised if the Saints by playoff time are a significant threat in this year’s postseason.