The Saints were ranked 32nd overall.
ESPN.com recently released their rankings of each team in the NFL by the strength of their starting lineup, and they placed the New Orleans Saints dead last. It makes some sense to think the Saints have one of the weaker rosters in the NFL, as they finished 5-12 last season, and currently have the longest odds of making the playoffs according to Vegas, but do they really have the worst lineup in the NFL?
Their roster does feature seven players that have made a Pro Bowl, but many of these players are those who have gotten older or have not made it for a few years. Alvin Kamara was last a Pro Bowler in 2021 and Cam Jordan in 2022, while the teams only Pro Bowler last year was Erik McCoy, who was selected as an alternate. The Saints were one of four teams not to have a player named to the initial Pro Bowl roster before the alternates were later selected as necessary. Also, last year was also the first year that Demario Davis was not named to the All-Pro team since 2018.
The Saints had a very tumultuous season in 2024, as injuries plagued the roster all year and they also fired head coach Dennis Allen halfway through the season, leading to just 5-wins, their fewest since 2005. However, many of the players unrecognized at the end of the year had similar seasons in which they were honored named to the Pro Bowl or All-Pro. Demario Davis had more tackles, interceptions, and pass defended in 2024 compared to 2023 when he was named an All-Pro. Alvin Kamara set a career high in rushing yards and had more total yards and just one fewer touchdown than his last Pro Bowl season in 2021.
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
Two Saints wide receivers, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed had great seasons in 2023 but missed the majority of the 2024 season due to injury. When healthy this group of receivers has the potential to be one of the better duos in the NFL. Alvin Kamara has also not lost a step despite the presumptions around the league. He was an injury away from having his first 1,000-yard rushing season, gained more total yards than he has since 2020 and scored more touchdowns than he has since 2021. The Saints will also hope to get offensive weapon Taysom Hill back and healthy this year, as he appeared in just eight games in 2024.
The defense has promising players such as Bryan Bresee, Pete Werner, and Kool-Aid McKinstry, who all have the potential for breakout seasons. Demario Davis is still a very good player, and Chase Young and Carl Granderson both have the ability to have a double-digit sack season.
The Saints biggest issue however is at quarterback, which is the main reason why there are such low expectations for this season. Second year QB Spencer Rattler got significant playing time last year, and while he showed flashes at times, was average at best for most of the season. Rookie Tyler Shough is very much an unknown, as he only completed one full season in college and had yet to take a snap in the NFL. The Saints probably have the weakest QB room in the NFL, simply by way of lack of experience, as Rattler is the most experienced QB on the team with just six starts.
Despite this, there is still a good amount of talent on the Saints roster. I am not saying they are one of the best rosters in the NFL but to say they are the worst in the league I think is unfounded given the high ceiling many of their contributors have.
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