Preseason is here and this thread is dead. I've been so busy at work I haven't been following my saints as much as I did last year.
Saints 2018 Key Subtractions:
Safety Kenny Vacarro - Doubt he will be missed much. He was a strong contributor with high numbers back when our LBers were a weak spot on the defense. He is talented when playing a LB/Safety hybrid close to the box. Bad in space, deep, and as a true safety. Now that we can field 3 competent LB starters and have depth behind them he has lost his roll on this team.
Guard/End Senio Kelemente - In my mind the most hurtful loss. He was a good starter quality guard and passable backup end, as our versatile O-line backup. The thing is, he is good enough to be a starter on almost any o-line and he wanted starter money. Texans are going to love him. Saints offense has always been built on protecting Drew Brees and a versatile (both pound it down their throats and scat back style) running game. They have also always prioritized the line. Starter linemen get injured on the regular, so being able to plug in Kelemente and suffer almost no drop off is going to be missed.
Tight End Coby Fleener - Disappointing 2017 season and mediocre overall Saints numbers, though never truly bad. Given Drew Brees' history with tight ends (Graham and Ben Watson), we feel he should be able to get above average performance out of any tight end. Hasn't happened with Fleener or any of the other tight ends. Saints have not replaced him with anyone that gives much hope.
Slot Receiver Willie Snead - I cannot explain his poor 2017 performance, and this position was always seen as the go to third down option for tough receiving yards. Saints had a terrible year in third down conversions and this is one of the reasons why.
Saints 2018 Key Additions:
Tight End Ben Watson: Had a stellar 2015 season with the Saints and then went and to the Ravens and missed an entire year due to injury. He is 37 years old. No one expects a return to 2015 form and TE in general looks to be a position of ongoing weakness.
Receiver Cameron Meredith: Injury plagued but with great measurables. Saints are betting on potential here hoping to hit a home run on the cheap. If 2017 luck holds, maybe they will.
The Rookies: DE Davison, Receiver Smith, etc. - Saints roster has much more depth and higher quality starters, largely due to the 2016 and 2017 draft classes. 2017 draft class has got to be one of the best draft classes of all time. Other than Davison and maybe Smith, there is not much expectation that the Saints rookies will see the field.
Saints Overall:
There is no reason to believe there is going to be a decline from last year. The turnaround on defense was led by rookies and sophmores, so continued improvement from them should be expected. Brees looked a little weak on the long ball last year but excellent otherwise. The offense hasn't added anyone to it that you would expect to bring it to new heights. We need incremental improvements from the WRs and tight ends I think just to maintain the offense's performance.
What needs to happen for the Saints to get to the superbowl:
- Key D-line personel like Onyemata and Rankins need to continue to improve, giving Cam Jordan some help in rushing the passer. Okafor needs to return to 2017 form after his injury.
- LB and Secondary look awesome as a unit, but it depends a lot on individual play. Avoid injuries. I am not sure I trust the Saints scheme without pro bowl players in it. Key personnel are S Marcus Williams, LB Alex Anzalone, and C Lattimore. If they stay healthy, we have a good to great defense next year.
- Sean Payton needs to figure out how to get third downs without a dominant TE or a reliable slot receiver. This was a huge weak point for the Saints last year. Yes, the offense still put up big numbers last year but it was bailed out by splash plays from the likes of RB Kamara. So many 3 and outs keeping teams in the game. I fully expect Kamara to have a less productive season as defensive coordinators game plan around containing him.