Carr'pe Diem: New Saints QB Derek Carr is Key to Saints' Season
The Saints lost three of their first four games last season, didn't win back-to-back games until December, finished 7-10, and missed the playoffs for the second straight season. Additionally, Saints fans were subjected to watching mediocre quarterback Andy Dalton play in 14 games. There weren't many quarterbacks in the NFL who inspired less confidence than Dalton last season.
However, despite managing only seven wins last season, the division winner, Tampa Bay, only needed eight wins to capture the NFC South last year. The silver lining for the 2023 season? The division which featured four teams under .500 in 2022 might be even worse this year.
There are new quarterbacks galore in the NFC South, and if the newly signed Derek Carr can take care of business, at least better than his three divisional counterparts, the Saints might have a shot to return to the postseason.
Offense
The highlight of New Orleans' offseason was the signing of quarterback Derek Carr. The former Las Vegas Raider threw for over 3,500 yards and 24 touchdowns last season, but he also had a career high 14 interceptions in just 15 games. The prior four seasons, in which he played every game, saw Carr throw for over 4,000 yards in each of those seasons, with a career high of 4,084 in 2021. To say the situation with the Raiders over the past few years was dysfunctional is an understatement. Carr is the best quarterback the Saints have had since Drew Brees retired, and perhaps a change in scenery will rejuvenate
his career.
Remember when Michael Thomas caught two touchdowns in the Saints' opener last season then only played two more games all year? Thomas has appeared in three games the last two seasons, but the former All-Pro could be the x-factor of a potent passing attack if he stays healthy. He'll be joined by second year receivers Chris Olave, who led the team with over 1,000 yards receiving last year, and Rashid Shaheed (488 yards and two touchdowns). Tight end Juwan Johnson returns after his 508-yard, seven touchdown season and is joined by former Raider, and New Orleans native, Foster Moreau, along with newly-signed, returning Saint Jimmy Graham, who starred with the team from 2010-2014 and ranks second in franchise history with 51 touchdown receptions. And of course, Alvin Kamara is always a threat in the passing game.
Speaking of Kamara, the seventh year running back was suspended for the first three games of the season for violating the league's personal conduct policy. When he returns, Kamara headlines a stout running back group after totaling nearly 1,400 total rushing and receiving yards last season. The former Tennessee Volunteer is joined by Jamaal Williams, who rushed for over 1,000 yards and a league-leading 17 touchdowns last year, as well as rookie Kendre Miller. The newcomer rushed for 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns last year at TCU. In Kamara's absence, don't be surprised to see New Orleans' Swiss Army knife, Taysom Hill, continue to eat up snaps after tallying 575 rushing yards and seven touchdowns last season.
Defense
The Saints defense was the strength of last season's team, featuring a top-10 unit and was one of only three defenses to have five players with at least five sacks. After utilizing co-defensive coordinators last season, the Saints have a new man at the helm of the defense. Joe Woods takes over after spending the last three years as the defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns. In 2021, Woods oversaw a Browns defense that finished as a top-five unit.
Defensive end stalwart Cam Jordan enters his 13th NFL season, but he cannot carry the Saints' front seven alone, despite leading the team in sacks again last year (8.5) and tackles for loss (13). Woods is counting on ends Payton Turner, Carl Granderson, Isaiah Foskey, and Tanoh Kpassagnon to provide more than just depth. The interior of the defensive line is probably the biggest question mark of the unit and is comprised of several new faces, including free agents Khalen Saunders, Nathan Shepherd, and first round draft pick Bryan Bresee.
The strength of this unit this season will likely be the linebackers, led by Demario Davis and Pete Werner, two of the top three leading tacklers from last year. It'll be intriguing to see who steps up among the rest of the group, between D'Marco Jackson, Zack Baun, Anfernee Orji, and Nick Anderson.
In the secondary, if cornerback Marshon Lattimore can return to pre-injury form after missing 10 games last season, that would be a huge boost for this unit, as young corners Alontae Taylor and Paulson Adebo continue to progress. At safety, Tyrann Mathieu is still a playmaker, and was a bright spot for this unit in his debut season after leading the team with three interceptions. Veteran safety Marcus Maye is also one of the Saints top-five returning tacklers.
Prediction
Every NFL team's success hinges on the ability of its quarterback, and the Saints have not had much luck with that position the past two seasons. Carr's arrival is not the second coming of Drew Brees, but he is an above-average NFL quarterback.
Questions linger on if Dennis Allen is actually a good coach (his 15-38 record suggests otherwise), if Michael Thomas will play most of the season, if the Saints can survive Kamara's suspension, and if the new players will step up on defense.
New Orleans: 9-8, NFC South Champion; NFC Wild Card Game.
