New Orleans Saints Depth Chart 2018 Saints Depth Chart

Preseason Analysis: A Look at the 2018 New Orleans Saints

The Saints remain a similar team from last season, who had Alvin Kamara really emerge as an elite running back. Kamara and Mark Ingram are expected to share time, and while the ceilings should be kept in a reality check, this is a team that should be able to sustain two steady running backs again. We saw New Orleans move towards the running game a bit more this past season, and there is a few reasons for that. Drew Brees still is very good, but another year older, and outside of Michael Thomas this core of wide receivers and tight ends are not very good. New Orleans finally parted ways with Willie Snead after a failed contract. Ted Ginn has shown some flash every now and then, but is not an exciting WR2 by any means. Cameron Meredith is an interesting name to keep an eye on, especially if he can surpass Ginn in some steady targets. Coby Fleener was let go this offseason, and the Saints reunite with some familiar names at tight end like Ben Watson and Josh Hill. Neither are strong tight ends, but will be looked at in the red zone at times. This depth chart shows the Saints change of culture after being an air it out team in prior years.

The 2018 NFL season is just around the corner and with a new year comes a new outlook on all 32 teams in the league. The New Orleans Saints are no exception to this rule and will be entering this upcoming season with plenty to be optimistic about as they look to improve on last year's record. In 2017, the New Orleans Saints won their division with an 11-5 record and their first trip to the playoffs since 2013. The Saints started in the Wild Card round, defeating their divisional rival Carolina Panthers but had their playoff run cut short when they traveled to Minnesota in the divisional round and were beaten by the Vikings on a last minute touchdown pass. The offensive scheme for the Saints this year looks to be similar to last year's, with Drew Brees back yet again as the signal caller. The passing game looks to be the same from last year, as passing has been one strength of the team, being second in the league. However, the running game will also be a big factor this year, as not only will Mark Ingram be back but he'll be complemented with second-year Alvin Kamara, who had a stellar season and even earned the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.

Defensively, the Saints have made it clear they want to improve in this year, after being only 17th in the league in total defense. Last year the team drafted cornerback Marshon Lattimore out of Ohio State who not only had a huge impact in coverage but he ended up winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award and getting his first trip to the Pro Bowl. If any player on that side of the ball stands out, it's clearly him. Special teams is not an area of serious concern, with kicker Will Lutz steadily holding the job and wideout Ted Ginn Jr. likely back to return kicks.

Every year there are always at least a handful of roster battles on each team, and defense is one field here, specifically in the secondary. There is a need to find a worthy replacement for Kenny Vaccaro, who played twelve games last year before landing on injured reserve and later being released from the team. Marcus Williams, Chris Banjo and Vonn Bell are all vying for that second safety spot. If any rookie impact is most watched, it'll be defensive end Marcus Davenport, who is supposed to be starting opposite of Cameron Jordan. The Saints were tied for seventh place with three other teams for sacks last year, which while not bad still means improvements could be made. Davenport, who went to Texas-San Antonio, notched 21.5 sacks in his career, a stat that helped endear him towards the Saints. The Saints picked up several big names in free agency but two major signings include tackle Jermon Bushrod and cornerback Patrick Robinson. The advantage here is that both players are familiar with the Saints' offensive and defensive schemes respectively.