TAKING STOCK: 2022 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

BY ADAM GREENE

In consecutive seasons the New Orleans Saints were forced to say goodbye to both quarterback Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton. Payton, looking at a Saints team that was $74 million over the cap and no quarterback on the roster, decided he’d be better served by sitting in a television booth huffing Joe Buck’s breakfast burrito burps.

If they can find a way to keep it (and they’ve already freed up about half of that cap number) this is a team loaded with talent, especially on defense. They won four of their last five games, finished with a winning record, and were alive for a playoff spot almost to the bitter end.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

2021-22 Record: 9-8, second place NFC South

Playoffs: N/A

NOW WHAT?

Former defensive coordinator Dennis Allen takes over as the new head coach and sacrificial lamb when the team finishes 4-13 and swings for the fences on a Kellen Moore or Liam Coen next season.

Allen and general manager Mickey Loomis have to solve New Orleans’ salary cap situation in a hurry. They don’t even have the cash to sign their draft class. Dealing former Offensive Player of the Year Michael Thomas would help. His contract remains huge, even after some fixes and he’s not played a significant down since 2019. The team doesn’t need him to succeed and don’t presently have a quarterback that can get him the ball anyway.

FREE AGENCY

The Saints would like to find a way to keep offensive tackle Terron Armstead, but he’s probably going to be one of the top targets in free agency and be priced out of their range quickly. Outside of that, this is a team looking for bargain deals. If Armstead does hit the bricks, New Orleans has his replacement already on the roster in James Hurst. They probably won’t find anyone in free agency that they can afford that would outperform him in the role.

Where the Saints might want to spend some cash is at quarterback. They already have Taysom Hill under contract, but we’ve seen how that plays out. There would be a huge cap hit to cut bait right now, so they might want to give him a shot. Bringing Jameis Winston back could be an option and don’t be surprised to see a return of Teddy Bridgewater after a trip around the league.

DRAFT

In spite of their need at the position, no one seems too excited to predict the Saints will take one of the draft’s quarterbacks. If they do see a guy like Matt Corral or Malik Willis as potential franchise QBs, this might not be a bad spot to pick them. In my mock draft, I had New Orleans taking Treylon Burks, wide receiver out of Arkansas as a potential replacement for a traded away Thomas.

NFC SOUTH

With Tom Brady retired and Tampa Bay’s own QB situation up in the air, the NFC South is wide open. The Saints have a better shot than most and there’s every reason to believe a 9-8 or 10-7 record could land a team atop the division in 2022. New Orleans had the Bucs’ number even with Brady, so this is a team, even with its problems, that might find itself in the postseason at the end of the year.

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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